Nunavik trichinosis outbreak puzzles health officials

Health officials in Nunavik are trying to figure out the source of a trichinosis outbreak in Inukjuak, Que.

Since early October, about 15 people have exhibited symptoms of the illness caused by a parasite sometimes found in raw meat fromwalrus and polar bear.Two peoplewere hospitalized.

Health officials are baffled because there's no evidence that the parasite came from walrus meatwhich is most oftenthe cause for an outbreak.

Dr. Jean-Francois Proulx with Public Health in KuujjuaqsaysInukjuak has had a walrus meat testing program since the 1990s. Walrus meat harvested recently was tested and came back negative.And, he says, the parasite had made people sick even before walrus was harvested and consumed in the community.

"It's a challenge to come to a final answer in such a context butwe think that it's important to document as much as we can all potential avenues in order to contribute to further knowledge on this very rare disease," he said.

Proulx says the investigation will continue, but it could take a while.

In the meantime, officialsare advising people to fully cook meat before consuming it,to kill any parasites.

Proulx says the two people recently hospitalized seem to be recovering.