Nunavut health officials have issued a warning to hunters in Naujaat regarding a recent discovery of a walrus infected with a harmful parasite. The Department of Health revealed that a walrus caught on August 10 in the community tested positive for trichinella, a type of roundworm.
Trichinella can lead to various symptoms such as stomach discomfort, muscle aches, diarrhea, swollen eyelids, sweating, and fatigue if consumed. Individuals experiencing these symptoms after eating raw walrus meat are urged to seek medical help promptly.
Given that trichinella can only be identified through testing, health authorities are recommending hunters to have their walrus meat tested before consumption. The release emphasizes that hunters safeguard their communities by testing the meat since any walrus could potentially carry trichinella.
Furthermore, freezing or fermenting the meat does not eliminate the parasite; thorough cooking is the only effective method to kill it. The advisory suggests that individuals handling uncooked walrus should diligently clean and sanitize utensils and refrain from feeding raw walrus meat to pets.