As a consequence of the emerging European problem, the European Union and some associated non-European Union member countries implemented a Trichinella monitoring program for pigs, horses, wild boar, and other wildlife species ( 32). Proposed solutions include the definition of regions with a negligible risk for Trichinella in fattening pigs or the certification of Trichinella-free pig production units. This represents a serious problem for the meat trade within the European Union and for the exportation of pork outside European Union countries. Such increases have been related mainly to a reduced efficacy of the veterinary control on susceptible production animals. Dupouy-Camet and Bruschi ( 29) estimated that approximately 100 and 300 larvae of Trichinella spiralis start to cause disease and that an intake of 1,000 to 3,000 or more larvae causes severe disease, but this estimate was not based on scientific data, and consequently, it does not have any practical value.ĭue to political and economic changes, recent increases in prevalence and incidence have been observed in many former eastern European countries ( 8, 19, 24). In humans, the lowest infectious dose causing disease is not clearly defined. Infection of humans occurs with the ingestion of Trichinella larvae that are encysted in muscle tissue of meat from domestic or wild animals. The most important source of human infection worldwide is the domestic pig, but, e.g., in Europe, meats of horses and wild boars have played a significant role during outbreaks within the past three decades. Due to the predominantly zoonotic importance of infection, the main efforts in many countries have focused on the control or elimination of Trichinella from the food chain. have been found to be the causative agents of human trichinellosis, a disease that not only is a public health hazard by affecting human patients but also represents an economic problem in porcine animal production and food safety. Throughout much of the world, Trichinella spp.

The evidence that the disease can be monitored and to some extent controlled with a rigorous reporting and testing system in place should be motivation to expand appropriate programs worldwide. New regulations laying down rules for official controls for Trichinella in meat in order to improve food safety for consumers have recently been released in Europe. Subsequent chronic forms of the disease are not easy to diagnose, irrespective of parameters including clinical findings, laboratory findings (nonspecific laboratory parameters such as eosinophilia, muscle enzymes, and serology), and epidemiological investigations. Early clinical diagnosis of trichinellosis is rather difficult because pathognomonic signs or symptoms are lacking. Infection of humans occurs with the ingestion of Trichinella larvae that are encysted in muscle tissue of domestic or wild animal meat. The most important source of human infection worldwide is the domestic pig, but, e.g., in Europe, meats of horses and wild boars have played a significant role during outbreaks within the past 3 decades. Due to the predominantly zoonotic importance of infection, the main efforts in many countries have focused on the control of Trichinella or the elimination of Trichinella from the food chain.

are found to be the causative agents of human trichinellosis, a disease that not only is a public health hazard by affecting human patients but also represents an economic problem in porcine animal production and food safety. Summary: Throughout much of the world, Trichinella spp.

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