Trichinosis is caused by a parasitic roundworm associated with which food?

Trichinosis is caused by a parasitic roundworm associated with which food?

• A. Uncooked pork
• B. Undercooked chicken
• C. Undercooked beef
• D. Raw fish

Answer: (A)

Trichinosis comes from a parasite that lives in muscle tissue of certain animals, most classically in pork. When undercooked or raw pork containing Trichinella cysts is eaten, the larvae are released in the gut, mature, and migrate to muscles, causing illness. Cooking pork to a safe internal temperature inactivates the parasite, so avoiding undercooked pork greatly reduces the risk. Other foods mentioned can carry different pathogens or parasites, but they are not the typical source of trichinella infection. For example, undercooked chicken can carry Salmonella or Campylobacter, beef can carry E. coli, and raw fish can harbor other parasites, but the classic association for trichinosis is pork.

Trichinosis comes from a parasite that lives in muscle tissue of certain animals, most classically in pork. When undercooked or raw pork containing Trichinella cysts is eaten, the larvae are released in the gut, mature, and migrate to muscles, causing illness. Cooking pork to a safe internal temperature inactivates the parasite, so avoiding undercooked pork greatly reduces the risk. Other foods mentioned can carry different pathogens or parasites, but they are not the typical source of trichinella infection. For example, undercooked chicken can carry Salmonella or Campylobacter, beef can carry E. coli, and raw fish can harbor other parasites, but the classic association for trichinosis is pork.