Novel prevention program for trichinellosis in inuit communities.
Repeated outbreaks of trichinellosis caused by the consumption of Trichinella-infected walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) meat, which have sometimes led to serious morbidity, have stimulated Inuit communities in Nunavik (northern Quebec), Canada, to develop an innovative trichinellosis prevention program. The program involves preconsumption testing of meat samples from harvested walrus at a regional laboratory and the rapid dissemination of the results of such testing to communities. Local health authorities in Inukjuak conducted an epidemiological investigation after testing identified Trichinella-positive walrus meat in September 1997. This report describes the events that occurred before, during, and after the trichinellosis outbreak and also documents how the prevention program contributed to successful resolution of the outbreak.
Proulx
Jean-François
JF
Department of Public Health, Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, Kuujjuaq, Quebec, Canada, J0M 1C0. jfproulx@cspq.qc.ca
MacLean
J Dick
JD
Gyorkos
Theresa W
TW
Leclair
Daniel
D
Richter
Anne-Katrin
AK
Serhir
Bouchra
B
Forbes
Lorry
L
Gajadhar
Alvin A
AA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008461:Meat Products / Q000469:parasitology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D014234:Trichinella; D014235:Trichinellosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014856:Walruses / Q000469:parasitology