Trichinellosis: a worldwide zoonosis

Trichinella spp. are some of the most widespread parasites infecting people and other mammals all over the world, regardless of climate. This paper attempts to describe the present status of trichinellosis worldwide and to determine if and why trichinellosis is emerging or re-emerging. The global prevalence of the disease is difficult to evaluate but as many as 11 million people may be infected. More than 10000 cases of human trichinellosis were reported by the International Commission on Trichinellosis from 1995 to June 1997 and about 10000 porcine infections were reported by the Office International des Epizooties in 1998. The disease is particularly worrisome in the Balkans, Russia, the Baltic republics, in some parts of China and Argentina. Horsemeat-related outbreaks have been reported in France and Italy and have involved about 3000 patients in the past 25 years. The emergence of trichinellosis in some countries is explained by a better knowledge of the disease (formerly often misdiagnosed as influenza), modifications of consumer habits, re-forestation in Europe and increase of wild game, importation of meats from countries where trichinellosis is endemic and failure of veterinary control due to human error or to social upheavals. This disease linked to meat-consumption which is theoretically easy to prevent by adequate cooking, freezing and veterinary controls, should deserve the attention of all persons involved in public health and it could be eradicated at least from domestic pigs.