Wild Animal Meat Research Articles

Elemental Composition of Muscle Tissue of Wild Animals from Central Region of Poland

In the paper, the contents of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe),manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), aluminium (Al), and nickel (Ni) were determinedin the meat of roe deers, wild boars, and hares coming from central region of Poland. Measurements werecarried out using atomic absorption spectrometry. The ranges of median values found for the concentration of elements were as follows: 89 – 121 (Ca), 235 – 241 (Mg), 19.2 – 28.6 (Zn), 0.93 – 2.07 (Cu), 26.3 – 39.1 (Fe), 0.10 – 0.38 (Mn), 0.04 – 0.31 (Cr), 0.07 – 0.48 (Pb), 0.004 – 0.010 (Cd), 0.31 – 1.26 (Al), and 0.05 – 0.13 (Ni) ig/g, respectively. We stated that the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, and Mn were comparable to their amounts in meat of farm animals. The smallest amounts of hazardous elements, except for Al, were determined in meat of hares, and the highest ones in roe deer meat. Moreover, a large variability in Cr, Pb, and Ni content was found. Generally, there were no significant correlations between the concentration of elements in the meat of wild animals and their age and weight, but some statistically significant and strong correlations between concentrations of elements were stated. Moreover, significant positive correlations were found to exist for the content of Fe and Mn in muscle tissue and liver of hares.

EPIZOOTIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TRICHINELLOSIS OF DOMESTIC PIGS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA

Trichinellosis is parasitic disease aff ecting wildlife, domestic animals and humans, caused by the nematode of the genus Trichinella. Primary infection route is consumption of infected meat, thus trichinellosis represents a considerable health and economic problem. In the Republic of Srpska, the most common source of human infection is the meat of domestic pigs. Since recently, an increasing number of trichinellosis outbreaks have been attributed to consumption of meat of wild animals, which corresponds with the situation in other countries. During the last decade of the 20th century, numerous outbreaks involving large number of infected people have been reported. In the period 2001-2010, 1256 cases of animal trichinellosis were reported, 1166 of which were identifi ed in domestic swine. In the municipality of Bijeljina, 656 cases were reported, which makes 56.26% of the total number of domestic pig infections recorded in the Republic of Srpska. The latest fi ndings about the incidence of various Trichinella species in wild and domestic animals in Europe indicate that, regardless of application of preventive measures such as proper animal management and veterinary control of meat aft er slaughter, this disease remains the major health problem in this area.

Co-infections of the cestode Echinococcus vogeli and the nematode Calodium hepaticum in the hystricomorphic rodent Agouti paca from a forest reserve in Acre, Brazil

The helminth fauna of Agouti paca (Linnaeus, 1766) has seldom been studied. In this paper, we report an unusual mixed infection of Echinococcus vogeli Rausch & Bernstein, 1972 and Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica Bancroft, 1863) in free-ranging paca from a forested region in Acre (Brazil). Gross morphological examination revealed that paca liver contained multiple spherical to subspherical white or translucent lesions, which were isolated or frequently contiguous and partially covered by Glisson's capsule. Microscopic examination revealed unilocular cystic structures that contained abundant brood capsules in which numerous protoscolices budded from the inner surface. The protoscolices possessed rostellar hooks (33-41μm in length), a morphological characteristic of the blade and calcareous corpuscles that is consistent with the metacestode E. vogeli. The diagnosis of C. hepaticum infection was based on the morphology and morphometry of the egg-shaped ellipsoids with bipolar plugs (44.8±1.9μm (length)×24.4±2.0μm (width)) and liver histopathology. This finding expands the known range of C. hepaticum hosts in South America and, to the best of our knowledge, it is the first case of a mixed infection of E. vogeli and C. hepaticum. Furthermore, our data provide evidence that wild animal meat may be a source of C. hepaticum infection.

Radioactivity measurements and dosimetric evaluation in meat of wild and bred animals in central Italy

This research was dedicated to the study of the background activity concentration of natural radionuclides and 137Cs in meat of wild and farm animals from central Italy. This meat is largely consumed by the local population and also exported to different countries. 40K, 210Pb, 214Pb, 214Bi and 137Cs were determined by gamma spectrometry, 210Po by alpha spectrometry. The mean 40K activity concentration resulted 415 ± 56 Bq kg−1 dw. In all samples, 210Pb was below the detection limit (<18.9 Bq kg−1 dw). The 214Pb and 214Bi activity concentration was detectable in only 33.1% of samples with a mean value of 3.5 ± 1.2 Bq kg−1 dw. The 210Po activity concentration ranged between 0.02 ± 0.002 Bq kg−1 dw (pig) and 3.13 ± 0.31 Bq kg−1 dw (deer) with a mean value of 0.48 ± 0.42 Bq kg−1 dw. A significant difference can be noticed between the 210Po concentration in the meat of wild specimens and the 210Po concentration in those reared. Instead, no difference can be observed between male and female species and between adult and young species. The 137Cs activity concentration resulted or not detectable or near to detection limit except in a few samples of boar and roe deer. The effective dose from 210Po ingested by eating bovine, and pig and wild animal meat accounts only for 0.03–0.11% of the natural radiation exposure in Italy.

Safety regulations of food and water implemented in the first year following the Fukushima nuclear accident

An earthquake and tsunami of historic proportions caused massive damage across the northeastern coast of Japan on the afternoon of 11 March 2011, and the release of radionuclides from the stricken reactors of the Fukushima nuclear power plant 1 was detected early on the next morning. High levels of radioiodines and radiocesiums were detected in the topsoil and plants on 15 March 2011, so sampling of food and water for monitoring surveys began on 16 March 2011. On 17 March 2011, provisional regulation values for radioiodine, radiocesiums, uranium, plutonium and other transuranic α emitters were set to regulate the safety of radioactively contaminated food and water. On 21 March 2011, the first restrictions on distribution and consumption of contaminated items were ordered. So far, tap water, raw milk, vegetables, mushrooms, fruit, nut, seaweeds, marine invertebrates, coastal fish, freshwater fish, beef, wild animal meat, brown rice, wheat, tea leaves and other foodstuffs had been contaminated above the provisional regulation values. The provisional regulation values for radioiodine were exceeded in samples taken from 16 March 2011 to 21 May 2011, and those for radiocesiums from 18 March 2011 to date. All restrictions were imposed within 318 days after the provisional regulation values were first exceeded for each item. This paper summarizes the policy for the execution of monitoring surveys and restrictions, and the outlines of the monitoring results of 220 411 samples and the enforced restrictions predicated on the information available as of 31 March 2012.

Public Health Significance of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens from Bushmeat Sold in Urban Markets of Gabon, Central Africa

Wild animal meat represents an important source of protein for many people in central Africa. Also known as bushmeat, this meat commodity is derived from wild animals hunted under uncontrolled conditions, transported to distant markets under rudimentary or no hygienic methods, and often eviscerated >24 hr after death. Considering the plausible role of wildlife as a reservoir for bacterial zoonotic pathogens, bushmeat may be an important public health risk in Central Africa. This cross-sectional survey served to evaluate the presence of Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Shigella in the muscle tissue of 128 wild animal carcasses from several hunted wildlife species (guenons [Cercopithecus spp.], collared mangabeys [Cercocebus torquatus], gray-cheeked mangabeys [Lophocebus albigena], African crested porcupines [Atherurus africanus], duikers [Cephalophus spp.], and red river hogs [Potamocherus porcus]) sold in two markets of Port-Gentil, Gabon, in July and August 2010. Salmonella was detected from one carcass; no Campylobacter or Shigella was detected. If Campylobacter and Shigella were present, the maximum expected prevalence was estimated at 6% and 1%, respectively. In light of such very low apparent muscle contamination levels, bushmeat likely does not represent a health risk per se with respect to Campylobacter, Salmonella, or Shigella. However, because carcass evisceration and skinning can take place within households prior to consumption, consumers should follow strict hygiene and food safety practices to avoid potential health hazards associated with the handling, preparation, or consumption of bushmeat.

Rural Women Perception on Bushmeat Trade around Kainji Lake National Park, Niger State, Nigeria

The study examines the perception of rural women on bushmeat trade around Kainji Lake National Park in Niger state, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 rural women living around kainji lake national park in Niger state. Data were collected through a well-structured interview schedule and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, 5 points Likert-type scale and chisquare. The result of the study revealed that majority (69.2%) of the rural women were married with large household sizes, 70.3% were in their middle age and 67.1% had just basic education. Also, majority (95.0%) of them had long years of working experience with low average monthly income less than U S $61. Moreover, they perceived benefits of trading in bush meat to include high return (1st), raising social status (2nd), and cheap access to animal protein (3rd). The study revealed further that respondents’ perceived knowledge were very high (2.5-3.0) on hunting and trading of bushmeat as not being a good livelihood activity, high (1.9-2.4) on unregulated hunting and trading of wild species as a factor that can destroy the environment while other opinions such as eating any wild animal meat be it endangered or not, extinction of wild species not contributing to disequilibrium of biodiversity, etc were rated low (1.3-1.8). There were significant relationship between education and years of working experience with respondents’ perception on bushmeat trade while age, household size, marital status and average monthly income were not significant. The perception exhibited by the rural women which was believed to be highly beneficial as a result of their generally low knowledge on the implication of the trade on biodiversity could encourage participation in bushmeat trade. Based on the findings, massive enlightenment campaigns need to be embarked upon by both governmental and non-governmental organizations to change their mindset on the implication of bushmeat trade. Key Words : Perception, Bushmeat, Rural Women, Trade, National Park

Tularemia Associated to Drinking Mountain Water Presenting with Lymphadenopathy: a Case Report

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease that can be passed to humans via the consumption of wild animal meat or inadequately cooked contaminated drinking water. There has been an increase in the number of observed cases in recent years. The clinical picture may vary from asymptomatic disease to septic shock. Oropharyngeal type of the disease is the most common clinical form and is associated with pharyngitis, fever and cervical lymphadenopathy (LAP). Here we present a 22-year-old female patient who developed cervical LAP after tonsillopharyngitis and was diagnosed with oropharyngeal tularemia that was determined to be related to drinking mountain water.

Toxoplasmosis in military personnel involved in jungle operations

Tropical diseases, mainly leishmaniasis and malaria, increased among Colombian military personnel due to intensive operations in the jungle in the last ten years; as a result the Colombian army developed important preventive strategies for malaria and leishmaniasis. However, no knowledge exists about toxoplasmosis, an emergent disease in military personnel. We compared the prevalence of IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibodies by ELISA and of parasitaemia by a real time PCR assay, in 500 professional soldiers that operated in the jungle with a group of 501 soldiers working in an urban zone (Bogotá). We found that the prevalence was significantly different between both groups of soldiers (80% in soldiers operating in jungle vs. 45% in urban soldiers, adjusted OR 11.4; CI 95%: 3.8–34; p<0.0001). All soldiers operating in the jungle drink unboiled and chlorine untreated lake or river water. In urban soldiers, these risk factors along with eating wild animal meat or eating tigrillo (little spotted cat) were significantly associated with a higher prevalence. Characteristic toxoplasmic choriorretinal lesions were found in 4 soldiers that operated in the jungle (0.8%) and in one urban soldier (0.19%). All soldiers before being deployed in jungle operations should be tested for Toxoplasma antibodies and to receive adequate health information about the routine use of personnel filters to purify their water for consumption.

Radioactivity in food in Belgrade city

The activity concentrations of 40K, 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 137Cs were measured using the gamma spectrometric method in different food chain samples from the area of the City of Belgrade during the periods May-June 2007 and May-June 2008. Relatively high activities of 40K and 137Cs were detected in the soil. These results indicate that 137Cs is present in the area of Belgrade even 20 years after the nuclear accident in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. However, in the samples of feedstuffs, animal products and bio indicators (meat of wild animals and fish), activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides and 137Cs were low and below the detection limits. The results of these trials have shown that investigated animal products from the natural environment around Belgrade are radioactivity safe.

悪性リンパ腫に対するR-CHOP後に&lt;i&gt;Listeria monocytogenes&lt;/i&gt;菌血症を呈した1例

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a hematolymphoid malignancy, puts subjects at risk for complete infection. A 65-year-old man with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Stage IV had undergone 5 R-CHOP courses in May 2008. Six days later, he was hospitalized for a high fever for which he was initially administered cefepime. When blood culture was positive for Listeria monocytogenes, he was administered ampicillin. His medical interview indicated that he had gone hunting and dressed wild animal meat at his mountain retreat, where he was exposed to wild animals and their excreta following R-CHOP course 5. CSF was not checked because his general condition was good. On hospital day 2, his fever dropped, and he was discharged following two weeks of ampicillin administration. Listeriosis cases reported in Japan number far fewer than in the United States, France or Germany. From January 1983 to February 2009, 153 cases were reported in Japan, 12 of whom were cancer patients. Despite the high incidence of meningitis with listeriosis, 7 of the 12 were not examined for CSF--an examination necessary in listeriosis, however well the subject appears.

Epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and control of trichinellosis.

Throughout much of the world, Trichinella spp. 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. 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. 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. Infection of humans occurs with the ingestion of Trichinella larvae that are encysted in muscle tissue of domestic or wild animal meat. Early clinical diagnosis of trichinellosis is rather difficult because pathognomonic signs or symptoms are lacking. 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. 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. 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.

Sushi Delights and Parasites: The Risk of Fishborne and Foodborne Parasitic Zoonoses in Asia

Because of the worldwide popularization of Japanese cuisine, the traditional Japanese fish dishes sushi and sashimi that are served in Japanese restaurants and sushi bars have been suspected of causing fishborne parasitic zoonoses, especially anisakiasis. In addition, an array of freshwater and brackish-water fish and wild animal meats, which are important sources of infection with zoonotic parasites, are served as sushi and sashimi in rural areas of Japan. Such fishborne and foodborne parasitic zoonoses are also endemic in many Asian countries that have related traditional cooking styles. Despite the recent increase in the number of travelers to areas where these zoonoses are endemic, travelers and even infectious disease specialists are unaware of the risk of infection associated with eating exotic ethnic dishes. The aim of this review is to provide practical background information regarding representative fishborne and foodborne parasitic zoonoses endemic in Asian countries.

New trends and clinical patterns of human trichinellosis in Russia at the beginning of the XXI century

Official national statistics show a gradual decline in the incidence of trichinellosis in Russia from 971 cases in 1996 to 527 cases in 2002. Of the total 864 cases involved in 47 trichinellosis outbreaks during 1998–2002, only 35.8% were due to infected pork compared to 80% in 1995–1996. Other important sources were wild animals, such as bear ( Ursus arctos) (39.5%), badger ( Meles meles) (10.6%), and dog meat (11.9%). Children composed 15.9% of all cases. Overall, 81.0% of pork-cases occurred in the European part of the country, and 89.4% of bear-meat cases were from the Asian region where most of the badger and dog-meat cases also originated. The percent of clinically severe cases of disease derived from pork and from bear meat was 7.7% and 7.9%, respectively; the frequency of moderate cases from pork was significantly higher than from bear meat. Clinically severe cases from badger and dog meat were 1.1% and 1.9%, respectively, where the number of clinically moderate cases from badger meat was significantly larger than that from dog meat. A disturbing trend is the 52.3% of trichinellosis cases during 1998–2002 in Russia that were derived from wild animal meat, especially the clinically severe cases occurring among the aboriginal Siberian population. The contributing factors to the slow decline in trichinellosis incidence in Russia and to the increase in percentage of cases originating from wild animal meat are the distribution and consumption of veterinary-uncontrolled pork, poaching and distribution of wild animal meat, and the neglect of medical and civil regulations. These trends should be seriously evaluated by the institutions of health, education, and by the veterinary service.

Card‐carrying hunters, rural poverty, and wildlife decline in northern Côte d’Ivoire

This paper examines wildlife decline in northern Côte d’Ivoire with emphasis on the political‐economic and cultural dimensions of market hunting. Hunting and the trade in wild animal meat are situated within the economic diversification strategies of impoverished farmers and the flourishing of hunter associations. The role of hunter associations is critical in the rise in the number of hunters and firearms in the case study area of Kakoli. Initiation into the national hunters’ association, Binkadi, allows card‐carrying members to bear arms without legal repercussions. Higher quality arms and rural poverty motivate many of these recruits to engage in market hunting. Game market surveys for 1981–82 and 1997–99 in Kakoli show tremendous pressure on both vulnerable and robust species alike. Game depletion is conceptualized as the outcome of interacting social and biophysical processes that produce hunting pressure and habitat change. By drawing attention to the political‐economic, ecological, and cultural dimensions of wildlife decline, this study implicates a diversity of actors and institutions in the dynamics of game depletion.

Anatomy of a Bushmeat Commodity Chain in Takoradi, Ghana

Bushmeat, the meat of wild animals, is a highly valuable non-timber forest product in West and Central Africa. The trade in this commodity is currently of great interest to development and conservation agencies, due to concern over the sustainability of its use and the implications of its loss for poor rural households. In this study, we describe the bushmeat commodity chain that supplies the city of Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana. There are five primary actors in the trade: commercial hunters and farmer hunters, all of whom are men based in local rural areas; and wholesalers, market traders and chopbar owners, all of whom are women based in the city. Bushmeat is freely traded between all actors and actor groups, but the main trade route is from commercial hunters to wholesalers to chopbars. Wholesalers are the smallest actor group but handle the largest per capita market share, whilst chopbars are the most numerous group and together account for 85 per cent of retail sales. The costs of participating in the trade appear to be lowest for hunters and highest for chopbar owners. Kin support networks play an important role in minimizing these costs, especially with respect to entry costs (nearly half of all bushmeat traders inherit their business) and labour costs (many employees are family members); kin also assist in other ways, especially through sharing knowledge and supplying credit. Amongst the urban actors, the bushmeat trade as a whole is perceived as a low-status occupation, although individual reputation remains important. In Takoradi, the bushmeat trade is largely unregulated by either state or local institutions, and there is no evidence of any individual actors or actor groups exerting control over the market. Hunters make significant profits, indicating that the bushmeat trade has the potential to make a substantial economic contribution to rural households. In contrast, urban actors appear to make relatively small profits. Comparison with the existing literature suggests that the structure and operation of the bushmeat trade in Takoradi is typical of the trade in many other parts of West Africa.

Eating habits of East Asian people and transmission of taeniasis

In order to understand the role of raw meat and viscera eating habits in the transmission of taeniasis in Asian countries, 1502 infected aborigines in ten mountainous districts/towns of six counties in Taiwan, 58 infected persons in two villages on Cheju Island, Korea, and 97 cases in Ambarita District on Samosir Island, North Sumatra, Indonesia were studied during the field surveys. All infected Taiwan aborigines had the habit of eating raw meat and viscera of wild and/or domestic animals. Among these aborigines, 73% ate wild boar, 66% flying squirrel, 65% wild goat, 56% muntjac, 49% wild rats, 46% monkey, 38% hare, 20% civet-cats, 18% weasel, 17% pheasant, 14% squirrel, 4% grouse, 1% deer, 1% snake, <1% bamboo partridge, <1% frog, <1% bear, <1% dog, and <1% fox. Of the 58 infected persons with Taenia on Cheju Island, Korea, 72% ate raw meat and/or viscera of pig and cattle, 19% raw pork only, and 9% raw beef only. Among 12 infected persons infected with T. saginata-like tapeworms, 7 had eaten raw pork, 2 raw beef and pork and 3 raw pork. Almost all of the 97 cases of taeniasis on Samosir Island of North Sumatra, Indonesia, had eaten only undercooked pork. Eleven of 15 cases were found to be infected with T. saginata-like tapeworms. Eating habits observed suggest an unusual way of transmission of Taenia in East Asia.

Prevalence of taeniasis and enterobiasis among aboriginal children in mountainous areas of Taiwan.

Children numbering 6,197 were tested for taeniasis. Those children were examined from May, 1981 to July, 1989. Sixty one primary schools, in eight mountainous districts provided the test group of children. The method used in these tests was the Scotch tape perianal swab. The overall infection rate of taeniasis was 1%. A total of 6,667 children were also examined for enterobiasis and the infection rate was 10%. There was no significant difference in the rate of taeniasis and enterobiasis by sex. The infection of taeniasis was highest in Tatung District (3%), Ilan County. However, there was no significant difference among the rates by district. The prevalence of enterobiasis was highest in Jenai District (17%), Nantou County and lowest in Lanyu District (2%), Taitung County. Taeniasis was not found among non-aboriginal school children, while 3% of aboriginal school children were infected with Taenia. However, the infection rate of Enterobius vermicularis among non-aborigines (39%) was much higher than that among aboriginal children (5%). These findings indicate that aboriginal children still eat raw meat and viscera of wild animals and acquire Taenia infection.

Trends in the Incidence and Transmission Patterns of Trichinosis in Humans in the United States: Comparisons of the Periods 1975-1981 and 1982-1986

Since 1947, the U.S. Public Health Service has recorded statistics on reported cases of trichinosis in humans. More complete clinical and epidemiologic data on cases became available after 1965, when trichinosis was officially made a notifiable disease. The numbers of reported cases declined markedly from an average of approximately 400, with 10-15 deaths reported each year in the late 1940s, to 57 per year, with three deaths in the 5 years 1982-1986. Although annual incidence was highest in sparsely populated Alaska, the highest numbers of cases are reported from the northeastern United States. Food sources of this infection vary in different geographic regions. The decline in annual incidence during the past 12 years appears to be accounted for largely by a decline in the number of cases attributed to commercially purchased pork, although pork products continue to be the major source of infections in humans. The number of cases due to ingestion of wild animal meat have remained relatively constant. Activities at the national and state level that have improved the prospects for control and prevention of trichinosis in commercial products are discussed.

Giant Rats for Meat—and some Taboos

Meat is short in southern Nigeria. Wild animal meat is popular, but the wildlife is seriously depleted. To help supply the demand for meat and also ease the pressure on the wildlife, a quick-breeding species, the giant or pouched rat, is being domesticated. The author describes some of the widely held taboos about this meat, which nevertheless is in considerable demand.