[Trichinellosis]

Trichinellosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by several species of the viviparous nematode of the genus Trichinella. Trichinellosis is a food borne zoonosis and can be contracted by eating raw or rare meat. This disease can be prevented by domestic and public health measures. France has thus considerably reinforced its system of prevention at slaughterhouses and in 2002 a Trichinella National Reference Centre was implemented. Trichinellosis is considered as a re-emergent disease throughout the world and more than 2500 cases have been reported in France since 1975. The possible severe neurological and cardiovascular complications, the risk of death highlight the need for a better knowledge of the disease and of its impact on public health.