Trichinellosis in Poland in 2009

In the year 2009, thirty-six cases of human trichinellosis were registered in Poland, amounting to an incidence rate of 0,09 per 100 000 population. Of the registered cases 18 were confirmed and 18 were classed as probable according to EU definitions. There were no death cases resulting from the infections, however about 65,5% of the infected persons were hospitalized. Within the three registered outbreaks of trichinellosis two were caused by wild boar meat consumption and one by the consumption of meat products prepared from wild boar meat and pork. In all of the outbreaks, the contaminated meat products were prepared for household consumption. To avoid similar Trichinella outbreaks the polish public should be kept informed about the risks of unexamined pork and wild boar meat consumption. The importance of routine testing for trichinellosis in pig and wild boar carcasses should be adequately emphasized.