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A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that several family members who shared a meal of bear meat, harvested by one of them, were subsequently infected with brain worms.

In July 2022, the Minnesota Department of Health received a report concerning a 29-year-old man who had been hospitalized multiple times over a two-and-a-half-week period with symptoms including fever, severe muscle soreness, and swelling around the eyes.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that the man had attended a family gathering in South Dakota, where a meal featuring kabobs made from black bear meat was served. The meat, which had been stored in a freezer for a month and a half, was initially served rare due to its darker color. After noting the underdone taste, it was recooked and served again.

Nine family members partook in the meal, with some consuming only the vegetables served alongside the bear meat. Trichinellosis, a rare roundworm typically acquired through the consumption of wild game, was diagnosed in the 29-year-old man and five other family members, including a 12-year-old girl and two individuals who solely consumed the vegetables. Trichinellosis larvae were detected upon testing the leftover bear meat.

Treatment involved albendazole to combat the worms, with three family members requiring hospitalization. The CDC emphasized the importance of thoroughly cooking meat to at least 165 degrees F to kill trichinella parasites and prevent cross-contamination.

While estimates vary, it's believed that up to one-quarter of black bears in Canada and Alaska may carry trichinella parasites.

In an interview with CBS Mornings, Dr. Dr. Céline Gounder said that brain worm infections can manifest with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, and seizures, although some infected individuals may remain asymptomatic.

Grounder further noted that the parasites get "walled off by your immune system and they get calcified." Proper cooking techniques and vigilance in food preparation are essential to prevent such occurrences.