The last announced epidemiological report from the Province of Buenos Aires, where details of the progress of the trichinosis outbreak are given. In that report, the Buenos Aires Ministry of Health realized that it is already in 21 municipalities and that during this year 219 cases of parasitic disease caused by worms and parasites that affect people and other animal is confirmed, and that It is transmitted to people by eating raw or undercooked meat.
Other data from the document, which records what happened in the week from August 20 to 26, maintains that there were 516 suspected cases in 2023 and that after the results, in addition to verifying that 219 were actually have disease, there are 39. probable and There are 254 that are still being analyzed.
It is also detailed in which localities the positive cases were found: “So far in 2023, five outbreaks of trichinosis have been recorded in the cities of Chivilcoy (SE 25), Coronel Dorrego (SE 29), Ayacucho and Las Flores (SE 29). ), in SE 31 an outbreak was recorded covering several towns in health regions I and II (Adolfo Alsina, BahÃa Blanca, Coronel Suárez, GuaminÃ, Puán, Saavedra, Hipólito Irigoyen, Rivadavia and Salliqueló) and the last outbreak recorded in OlavarrÃa (SE 34). And he added: “In the Chivilcoy outbreak, 5 cases have been confirmed, in Coronel Dorrego 1 case, in Ayacucho and Las Flores 15 cases and the last outbreak 187 cases have been recorded so far. All cases improved and appropriate treatment was given. .
“For the same period in 2022, 228 suspected cases were reported, of which 63 cases were confirmed and 155 were under study (Table 1). (RS III), Ramallo (RS IV), Campana (RS V ), Balcarce (RS VIII) and 25 de Mayo (RS X) The confirmed cases belong to the towns of Adolfo Alsina, BahÃa Blanca, Coronel Dorrego, Coronel Suárez , Puán, Guaminà and Saavedra (RS I); Hipólito Irigoyen, Salliqueló and Rivadavia (RS II); JunÃn (RS III); Ezeiza (RS VI); Luján (RS VII); Ayacucho, Balcarse and Tandil (RS VIII) ) ; General Lamadrid and Las Flores (RS IX); Chivilcoy Y 25 de Mayo (RS X) and Lezama (RS XI)”, the report said.
In this context, it has been shown that “trichinosis outbreaks usually occur during low temperatures.” In the seasonal distribution of cases reported during the five years analyzed, an increase was seen in the period from July to October of this year.
What is trichinosis?
Trichinosis or trichinellosis is a parasitic disease caused by larvae and adult parasites of nematodes of the genus Trichinella spp, which affects humans, domestic and wild mammals, birds and reptiles.
It is a zoonosis, which is transmitted by humans, unintentionally, by consuming meat or meat derivatives, raw or poorly cooked, that contain live muscle worms.
In our country, trichinosis is widely distributed, the main source of human infection is the domestic pig, although there are others, such as wild boar or puma. In general, outbreaks have been linked to pigs with poor sanitary breeding conditions and a lack of slaughter control.
The way trichinosis manifests itself in the form of outbreaks in humans and in the form of a focus in pigs, and the lack of specific treatment for infection in the cystic phase (encapsulation), makes it necessary for health and sanitation. animal services. take steps to intervene in outbreaks with the greatest urgency possible. Early treatment of exposed people is important to reduce the possibility of developing severe forms of the disease.
On the other hand, the confiscation and destruction of potentially contaminated pork or food products is necessary to prevent the risk of the general population becoming ill.
