Anasakid Nematodes and Fish
Why should we be concerned?
Anasakid nematodes are small, round worms. The larvae (immature worms) and adult worms can sometimes can be seen in the organs or flesh of fish, but sometimes not. What can we do to keep safe from these nematodes? It is not known how often there are nematodes in fish in Nunavut. Gut fish as soon as they are killed. If you do not If the larvae in the fish are not killed, gut the fish right after they can cause sickness in humans who harvesting, freeze the fish eat the fish. right away.
Cook the fish. Cooking will kill the worms so they can not cause sickness. How does it make If you want to eat the people sick? fish uncooked, freeze it first. Freezing fish will People who eat fish kill both immature and with nematode larvae adult worms. Freeze fish can have tingling in the throat. People for 7 days at -20°C before can also develop stomach ulcers (which eating raw. cause pain in the stomach).
-20C˚ 7 days -20˚
It is not known if drying fish kills the nematodes Botulism
Why should we be concerned?
The botulism bacteria Botulism bacteria can Botulism sickness are found naturally in make toxins if they do not can be very serious in walrus and seal. The have air. The toxins from humans and can even bacteria may also be the bacteria can cause a cause death. found in whale. sickness in humans called “botulism”.
How does it make What can we do to keep safe people sick? from botulism?
Bacteria can grow and Remove the stomach and make toxins if they do intestines of seal, whale and 4˚ 4˚C or colder not have air. The bacteria itself does not walrus right after harvesting. make people sick. The toxin created by the Store raw meat and fat in bacteria makes people sick. cold conditions (4°C or colder). Some ways of storing and aging meat can Do not age meat in closed grow botulism toxin and make the meat containers. Country food should unsafe to eat. Toxins are formed when be aged in a cool place that lets the meat does not have contact with air. air in. Plastic containers and These ways of storing meat are unsafe and plastic bags should not be used should not be used: to age country food. Over Keeping raw seal, walrus Keep leftovers in a refrigerator, not on or whale in closed plastic 4˚ 4˚C the stove or counter overnight. Do containers or plastic bags not keep food at room temperature at temperatures above for more than 2 hours. Leftovers 4°C (warmer than a (like seal broth, seal stew) should be refrigerator) cooked for at least 10 minutes before Leaving raw seal, walrus or being served again. whale in a closed plastic Botulism toxin can be killed by bag in the sunshine cooking. Eating well-cooked meat Aging meat or fat in closed will not cause sickness. containers
REMEMBER: Botulism bacteria and toxins do not have a flavour or smell. Botulism toxin is not what makes the good flavour of aged meat. Brucellosis
Why should we be concerned? How does it make people sick? Brucellosis disease is caused by a bacteria called brucella. Brucellosis causes an illness in humans that is similar Brucella is found in some caribou herds in to the flu. It can cause people to have Nunavut. Brucella has also been reported fevers, chills, sweating, a loss of appetite, in muskox herds, but it is rare. Animals headaches and joint pain. with brucellosis can have swollen joints and reproductive organs. They can be limping, Brucellosis can be treated with antibiotics. or appear lame. Brucellosis can cause If brucellosis is not treated, people can abortions in pregnant animals. become very sick. Untreated brucellosis can lead to an infection in the brain, Sometimes animals with brucella deafness, paralysis or death. become thin or look sick. Sometimes there are no signs of brucella. Both male and female caribou can have brucella. What can we do to keep safe from brucellosis? Humans can get brucellosis from eating raw or undercooked meat from an animal Cooking meat kills brucella that has brucella bacteria. bacteria. Cook meat to an internal temperature hotter than 75°C. Brucellosis is not killed by freezing, smoking, pickling or drying.
People can get brucellosis from touching the bacteria when butchering or handling an animal with brucella. The bacteria can get into humans through cuts in skin or by the eyes, mouth or nose. Wear gloves when handling or butchering an animal and wash your hands after.
Do not feed dogs any parts of an animal that you think is infected with brucella. Erysipelothrix
Why should we be concerned?
Erysipelothrix is a bacteria that can cause illness in humans. These bacteria are usually linked to animals like pigs and turkeys, but have recently been found in a few muskox on Victoria Island and Banks Island.
Sometimes muskox don’t show signs of erysipelothrix. For example, a muskox that appears healthy may suddenly What can we do to keep safe collapse and die. from erysipelothrix? Some muskox with erysipelothrix will look sick or weak. If a muskox looks weak Do not touch dead muskox. or sick, it should not be eaten. Do not harvest muskox that appear weak or sick.
How does it make Do not hunt or drink water in the area near dead muskox carcasses. people sick?
Humans can be infected by erysipelothrix by touching the skin or hide of animals that have the bacteria.
Erysipelothrix bacteria can cause an illness in humans called erysipeloid. Erysipeloid causes a throbbing, itching pain and swelling in the fingers or hands. Sometimes this illness can be more serious and cause arthritis or blood infections.
Erysipeloid can be treated with antibiotics. Toxoplasma
Why should we be concerned?
Toxoplasma is a parasite found in several animals in Nunavut. It is somewhat common in polar bear, seal and caribou. There is less toxoplasma reported in walrus and muskox. What can we do There are usually no signs of illness in the to keep safe from animal, but toxoplasma may be linked to toxoplasma? abortions in animals that have the parasite. Cooking kills toxoplasma. Cook meat to an internal How does it make temperature of hotter people sick? than 75°C.
There are sometimes Freezing kills no signs of illness in toxoplasma. Meat adults, although some adults may can be frozen at have a sickness that is like the flu. -20°C for at least Exposure to toxoplasma is not a 3 days before it is concern for most people. eaten raw. -20C˚ 3 days Toxoplasma can be a serious -20˚ concern for pregnant women. If a woman is exposed to toxoplasma for the first time during pregnancy, then the baby can be born with severe disabilities or develop severe symptoms after birth.
Trichinosis
Why should we be concerned?
Trichinosis is a disease that is caused by a People can get trichinosis from eating raw, worm. Most of the time, animals that have fermented (igunaq) or undercooked meat this worm look healthy. Sometimes the that has the worm. The worm is what causes worms are too small to see. sickness in humans. Sometimes, but not always, animals Trichinosis has been found in walrus and infected with the worm show the following polar bear. The majority of polar bears carry when they are being butchered: the trichinella worm. Small lumps or sacs (called “cysts”) in the muscles of the jaw, tongue, or diaphragm (the large muscle below the lungs) Swollen intestines with small bruises
What are the signs of What can we do to trichinosis in people? keep safe from trichinosis? Sickness can start a few days Get walrus tongues tested before after eating the infected eating the meat raw. This is the best meat. The first signs of way to keep safe from trichinosis. trichinosis are vomiting, nausea, The Government of Nunavut has a diarrhea, fever and pain in the stomach. free program to test walrus tongues. Contact your HTO or Health Center More signs can show up 8-15 days later. to find out more. People can have headaches, fever, chills, coughing, eye swelling, aching joints, If you don’t get the tongue tested, muscle pain, diarrhea or constipation, and cook the walrus before eating itchy skin. it. Cook the meat until it is grey/brown in colour and the Trichinosis can be treated with medicine. juices are clear (to an internal If it is not treated, more serious infections temperature hotter than 75°C). can cause problems with the heart Trichinosis is not killed by aging, and lungs, and problems with body freezing or drying. It is only movements. If trichinosis is not treated it killed by cooking. can cause death. Eat polar bear meat well cooked.