Trichinella spiralis is a worm that becomes embedded in the muscle tissue of pork. Trichinosis in humans results when infected pork that has been insufficiently cooked is eaten. The larvae develop in the intestinal tract and grow to adult size in a few days. They invade the blood and lymph circulation and involve the muscles of the abdominal wall, the diaphragm, the thorax, the biceps, and the tongue. Muscular pain, chills, and fever result.

Trichinella are destroyed by cooking pork until no trace of pink is present. The organisms are killed at about 60° С (140° F) but the recommended temperature for cooking pork is 77° С (170° F). Trichinella are also destroyed by freezing at – 18° С (0° F). Trichinella infestation is now uncommon because all states require that only cooked garbage be fed to pigs.

Tapeworms. Beef or pork tapeworm infestation occurs when cattle graze on sewage-polluted pastures or hogs eat polluted garbage. When man eats infected meat that is raw or rare, the tapeworm continues its reproductive cycle in the intestinal tract. The best controls are to prevent pollution of pastures, to feed only cooked garbage to pigs, and to avoid eating raw or rare meat.

Endamoeba histolytica is a protozoa that is transmitted by food handlers who are carriers of the organism, or by contaminated water supplies. The illness, amebic dysentery, is acute, chronic, or intermittent. The diarrhea may be profuse and bloody with erosion of the intestinal mucosa. Abscesses of the liver, lung, brain, and other tissues sometimes occur. The infestation is more common in tropical areas.

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GENERAL HEALTH