A Review of the Importance of Trichinosis in Public Health and the Status of Infection with This Parasite in Ethiopia

Abstract

Trichinella is one of the most important zoonotic parasitic nematodes with worldwide prevalence. Trichinella larvae are usually found inside the muscle tissue of the animals such as pigs and mice. This parasite enters into human’s small intestine following the consumption of infected pork and, then, excretes the male worms through his/her feces. Eight different species of this parasite have so far been identified including Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella nativa, Trichinella nelsoni, Trichinella britovi, Trichinella murrelli, Trichinella pseudospiralis, Trichinella papuae, and Trichinella zimbabwensis. Other remaining worms are transferred to other parts of the body by the blood, and from there they migrate, especially, through the muscles of the abdominal wall, tongue, and larynx, thereby causing swelling and calcareous cysts inside the muscles. Other mammals such as cats, dogs, foxes, pigs, and boars also usually get this disease after eating the meat of mice or other infected animals. Humans can also develop this disease by consuming pork or boar meat. The spread of this disease is rare in Islamic countries where pork is not consumed due to the religious observance, but its spread is rapid in countries from Europe and South America where the disease afflicts 12% of their human population mainly due to a failure to cook or freeze the meat perfectly.