A review of trichinellosis in people and wildlife in Canada

Repeated serological and parasitological analyses of commercially raised swine have shown the Canadian swine herd to be free of Trichinella in recent years in all regions of the country except for sporadic cases from one community in Nova Scotia. Nevertheless, approximately 18 cases of human trichinellosis are reported each year in Canada. Cases are generally attributed to the consumption of infected meat from wildlife. Many surveys for Trichinella in wildlife have been conducted but their results are frequently limited to a few hosts or are limited in geographic range; nonetheless, they suggest that in some regions of Canada, trichinellosis appears to be common in some wildlife species. This literature review identifies two regions of Canada where sylvatic trichinellosis is prevalent and correlates with human cases. The occurrence of Trichinella in wildlife is significant from the point of view of public health as all known biotypes of the parasite can infect people.