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A Review of Trichinellosis in People and Wildlife in Canada

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Abstract

Repeated serological and parasitological analyses of commercially raised swine have shown the Canadian swine herd to be free of Trichinella in recent years in all regions of the country except for sporadic cases from one community in Nova Scotia. Nevertheless, approximately 18 cases of human trichinellosis are reported each year in Canada. Cases are generally attributed to the consumption of infected meat from wildlife. Many surveys for Trichinella in wildlife have been conducted but their results are frequently limited to a few hosts or are limited in geographic range; nonetheless, they suggest that in some regions of Canada, trichinellosis appears to be common in some wildlife species. This literature review identifies two regions of Canada where sylvatic trichinellosis is prevalent and correlates with human cases. The occurrence of Trichinella in wildlife is significant from the point of view of public health as all known biotypes of the parasite can infect people.

Résumé

Les résultats de nombreuses analyses sérologiques et parasitologiques effectuées sur des porcs commerciaux ont démontré que le cheptel porcin canadien est exempt de Trichinella partout au pays à l’exception de cas sporadiques identifiés dans une municipalité de Nouvelle- Écosse. Malgré tout, il y a environ une vingtaine de cas de trichinose humaine rapportés à chaque année au Canada. L’origine de la maladie est généralement attribuée à la consommation de gibier infecté. Plusieurs études de dépistage de Trichinella sur les animaux sauvages ont été conduites, mais celles-ci étaient généralement limitées à quelques espèces ou complétées dans quelques régions spécifiques seulement. Les résultats de ces études démontrent néanmoins que la trichinose serait commune chez un certain nombre d’espèces de la faune sauvage au pays. La revue de littérature faisant l’objet de la présente étude a permis d’identifier deux régions du Canada où la trichinose est présente chez les animaux sauvages et peut être corrélée à des cas de trichinose humaine. La présence de Trichinella en milieu naturel est significative du point de vue de la santé publique car tous les biotypes connus du parasite en cause peuvent infecter les êtres humains.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada

    Greg D. Appleyard PhD

  2. Centre for Animal Parasitology, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Saskatoon, Canada

    Alvin A. Gajadhar PhD

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  1. Greg D. Appleyard PhD
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  2. Alvin A. Gajadhar PhD
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Correspondence to Greg D. Appleyard PhD.

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Appleyard, G.D., Gajadhar, A.A. A Review of Trichinellosis in People and Wildlife in Canada. Can J Public Health 91, 293–297 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404292

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