The reasons behind the trichinosis outbreaks in 21 Buenos Aires municipalities

The trichinosis It is a disease zoonotic. The infection is contracted by eating immature forms (larvae) of nematodes Trichinella spiralis, a small parasite that lodges in the muscles of animals. They are transmitted to humans accidentally, through the consumption of raw or poorly cooked meat or meat derivatives, which contain viable larvae.

In the province of Buenos Aires, During 2023, 219 confirmed cases of people with trichinosis were reported. 39 probable cases were also reported and 254 are still under study. In that sense, the Buenos Aires Ministry of Health reported that 5 trichinosis outbreaks affecting 21 municipalities.

The first was in the municipality of Chivilcoy in the second half of June. While in the second half of July, outbreaks occurred in Coronel Dorrego, Ayacucho and Las Flores.

Meanwhile, in the last week of July, the municipalities of Adolfo Alsina, Bahía Blanca, Coronel Suárez, Guaminí, Puán, Saavedra, Hipólito Yrigoyen, Rivadavia and Salliqueló registered outbreaks. At the same time, the last of these epidemiological phenomena took place in the city of Olavarría, in the week of August 20.

The outbreak that affected the most people was that of Olavarría, with 187 cases reported Until now. All those affected progressed favorably and the corresponding treatment was provided.

There were differences between the epidemiological situations of 2023 and 2022. For the same period last year, 63 cases of trichinosis had been confirmed, while this year 219 cases were recorded.

In each outbreak, epidemiological studies were carried out to find out why they had occurred. That is, the origin of trichinosis transmission was investigated.

The results of the contamination sources that generated the 5 trichinosis outbreaks:

1- In the municipality of Chivilcoy, originated from the consumption of homemade pork bondiola. The municipality's Health Secretariat, together with representatives from Health Region X, coordinated actions to control the focus and block the outbreak.

2 in Colonel Dorregothe outbreak occurred in people who consumed home-slaughtered pork.

3- In Ayacucho, it was a family outbreak due to the consumption of cold cuts and homemade sausages. Control actions were carried out by the National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (SENASA), Zoonoses and Bromatology of the Municipality.

4-The outbreak of trichinosis that included the municipalities of Adolfo Alsina, Bahía Blanca, Coronel Suárez, Guaminí, Puán, Saavedra, Daireaux, Hipólito Irigoyen, Pehuajó, Rivadavia, Pellegrini, Rivadavia, Salliqueló and Trenque Lauquen It had its origin in foods that came from the “Agroindustria Los Andrés SRL” Sausage Factory. The control actions were carried out by officials from the Ministry of Agrarian Development, the Directorate of Bromatology of the municipality of Salliqueló and the provincial Ministry of Security.

5- In Olavarria There was a family outbreak due to consumption of home-slaughtered pork. The focus control actions were carried out by the municipality's bromatology and epidemiology, Agrarian Development and Senasa authorities also participated.

It is a disease caused by a worm-shaped parasite that is lodged in the muscles of pigs and other wild animals, such as wild boar and puma.

Symptoms of trichinosis are fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, swollen eyelids, and itching. Given these signs, you must go immediately to the nearest health center.

There are medications that can be used to treat recent infection, but there is no specific treatment for trichinosis once the larvae invade the muscles. Pain relievers can help relieve muscle pain, but cysts last for years.

To avoid contracting trichinosis, only pork and pork products should be consumed. fresh and well cooked (i.e. cook them until the pink color disappears). Keep in mind that salting or smoking meat is not enough to kill the parasite, according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Nation.

You should also buy derived products, cured meats and sausages (such as ham, bacon, sausage, chorizos). only in authorized stores. It is necessary to verify on the label that they have been produced by authorized companies where the brand, batch identification, production and expiration date, identification of the manufacturing establishment and registration with the health authority are specified. The street sale of these foods is prohibited.

In rural areas and farms, the rules established by veterinary services for pig breeding must be respected. All establishments that raise pigs (small or large scale) must be registered in the National Health Registry of Agricultural Producers granted by the SENASA.

Pigs must be raised in suitable facilities no presence of rodents and they must be well fed. Has to avoid feeding them garbagewaste from slaughterhouses and/or waste from food houses or restaurants, since they may contain food remains contaminated with the parasite.

Ensure correct disposition of feed for pigs (storage conditions, building conditions of the feed warehouse), to prevent infestation by rodents and wild animals.

When slaughtering an animal (whether pig, wild boar or puma), even if it is done domestically, it is important to consult the vet and request the analysis of a sample of diaphragm (innards) from each cattle to confirm the absence of the parasite that causes trichinosis.