Case report: locally acquired trichinosis in an immigrant from Southeast Asia

The authors report a case of trichinosis acquired in Oklahoma City by an immigrant from Southeast Asia. The 49-year-old female reported having abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting, and had purchased and eaten lightly cooked pork. She also complained of fatigue, anorexia, and muscle aches for several months. An immigrant from Laos, she stated that she regularly eats pork and prefers it rare or mildly cooked. The authors caution local physicians to be aware of the increased risk of trichinosis among Southeast Asian immigrants in the area, particularly those from Laos and Cambodia. Continued emphasis on the need to thoroughly cook all pork products is necessary if the incidence of trichinosis in the U.S. is to be controlled.