The CDC tested some of the leftover black bear meat and discovered a species of Trichinella larvae that survived being frozen. At that point, the meat had been frozen for 110 days.
Overall, three family members were hospitalized and treated with an anti-parasitic medication. The symptoms of the other family members went away on their own. The six patients ranged in age from 12 to 62, and they each made a full recovery.
Trichinellosis infections are rare in the United States. Only 35 confirmed cases were recorded between 2016 and 2022, and most of them could be traced back to bear meat.
If you plan to eat wild game meat, the CDC advises heating it to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Proper cooking is the most surefire way to kill Trichinella parasites since freezing can only do so much.
