Trichinella alert for Sanikiluaq

Press Release

The Department of Health is advising residents of Sanikiluaq that a walrus harvested on September 19, 2022, has tested positive for trichinella.

If you have eaten any uncooked walrus recently, and have experienced stomach pain, muscle pain, diarrhea, swollen eyelids, sweating and weakness, you might be infected with trichinella.

Let your health care provider know that you ate uncooked walrus if you have any of these symptoms.

Testing your walrus will prevent anyone from getting trichinosis. Before eating walrus that someone else caught, ask if it has been tested. Freezing or fermenting meat will not kill trichinella; it can only be killed by cooking.

Hunters who get their meat tested are protecting their communities. Any walrus could have trichinella. It is only by testing the meat can you determine if the meat is safe. The Department of Health encourages and thanks those hunters who opted to have their walrus tested for trichinella. If you have questions or want to learn more on walrus testing, contact an Environmental Health Officer, at 867-975-1163.

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Media Contact:

Danarae Sommerville
Communications Specialist
Department of Health
867-975-5712
[email protected]

IHT5