If you're considering cooking and eating bear meat, you’ll want to ensure it's thoroughly cooked—similar to avoiding undercooked chicken. In a shocking turn of events, a recent gathering in North Carolina led to at least 10 individuals falling ill after consuming rare bear meat, exposing a dire health risk associated with consuming wild game.

On November 23, a gathering took place where 22 attendees indulged in bear meat that was improperly cooked, leaving a high risk of infection from parasitic roundworms known as Trichinella. These nasty critters can invade your body, causing a condition called trichinellosis. Symptoms can include flu-like manifestations and facial swelling, as the larvae burrow into muscle tissues, often causing distressing physical transformations. In this case, nine out of the ten affected displayed facial swelling, a key indicator of this disturbing infection.

Health officials quickly launched an investigation when the first individual presented with flu-like symptoms and abnormal swelling. Tracing back the origins, they discovered that the rare bear meat was at the center of this outbreak, although the specific type of gathering was not disclosed. Of the 34 attendees surveyed, the survey revealed that those who had consumed the bear meat were significantly affected.

While the infections have only been classified as 'probable' cases due to a lack of diagnostic confirmation—no one provided blood samples for testing—health authorities took immediate action. All ten individuals were prescribed an anti-parasitic medication called albendazole, but the high cost of treatment, approximately $100, delayed some from seeking necessary treatment. This highlights a concerning barrier in managing infections that could easily be addressed through education on safe cooking practices, especially for wild game meat.

Historically, trichinellosis has been tied to undercooked pork, with wild animals now being the primary source of infection due to a significant reduction in pork-related cases in the U.S. Improvements in pig farming practices have drastically decreased the risk. However, a reminder remains: wild game, particularly bear, is a potential health hazard if not prepared correctly.

State wildlife officials report that thousands of bears are harvested each year, urging for the implementation of Trichinella testing programs for wild game to mitigate these risks. This incident serves as a warning and an opportunity for local health departments and wildlife agencies to better educate the public on the importance of cooking meat, especially wild game, to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

This isn't the first occurrence of such a scare. Earlier in the year, multiple individuals fell ill after consuming undercooked bear kabobs, illustrating a troubling trend in the consumption of wild meats. In that instance, the bear had even been frozen for months, yet resilient larvae survived the process, proving just how dangerous this parasite can be. With the stakes so high, it’s crucial to prioritize safe meat preparation to avoid becoming the next headline!