Six Family Members Infected with Brain Worms After Eating Undercooked Bear Meat

The CDC reports that a family gathering in South Dakota led to trichinellosis infections from improperly cooked black bear meat.

The infections were traced back to a family reunion where bear meat kabobs were served rare due to their dark color.
Six out of nine attendees fell ill, including two who only ate vegetables cooked with the meat.
Symptoms included fever, severe muscle pain, and swelling around the eyes, with three individuals requiring hospitalization.
Trichinellosis is caused by roundworm larvae, which can survive freezing and migrate to muscles and the brain.
Health officials emphasize cooking wild game meat to at least 165°F to kill parasites and prevent cross-contamination.