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What Are Food-Borne Parasites Found in Undercooked Pork?

If you eat raw or undercooked pork, you may consume a parasite that can make you sick. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, parasites are one cause of foodborne or waterborne illness in the U.S. Raw or undercooked pork is most known for possibly containing two parasites: Trichinella spiralis and Taenia solium or tapeworms.

  1. Trichinella spiralis

    • Trichinella spiralis is the cause of trichinosis. Trichinella spiralis is an intestinal roundworm. The larvae of the trichinella roundworm travel from the digestive tract and can cause cysts to form in muscles. Trichinosis is not prevalent in the United States in 2011, because hog feeding practices have changed, but it is found in other countries where people eat raw or undercooked pork. You may contract trichinosis by eating pork contaminated with Trichinella larvae. The symptoms of trichinosis are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, fatigue and abdominal pain. Severe cases may include trouble with coordination and heart and breathing problems. Death can result from severe cases.

    Preventing the Spread of Trichenella Spiralis

    • The best ways to prevent the spread of trichinella spiralis, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are to wash your hands after handling raw meat and to cook all pork products to an internal temperature of 145 degrees. The internal temperature must be measured with a food thermometer before the pork is removed from the cooking surface. You may cook pork to a higher temperature if you desire. If you grind your own meat, it is important that you thoroughly clean the meat grinder after each use.

    Pork Tapeworms

    • Taenia solium is a pork tapeworm that causes taeniasis, which is an intestinal infection caused by adult tapeworms. The larvae of Taenia solium can cause cysticercosis, which is an infection of tissues other than intestinal tissue. Taeniasis usually does not cause any symptoms, although you may experience abdominal pain, digestive disturbances and weight loss. Irritation of the peri-anal area may occur when the worms exit the anus. Taeniasis can last years without treatment. Cysticercosis occurs when a person eats pork contaminated with tapeworm eggs. This disease can be fatal if the larvae of the tapeworms travel to the heart or central nervous system.

    Preventing Tapeworms

    • Cook pork to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees to prevent ingesting tapeworms. Meat should rest at least three minutes before eating or carving. Practice proper hygiene by washing your hands after using the restroom and after handling raw meat. Drink water that comes from municipal water supplies to avoid ingesting pork tapeworms. If you visit a country with an unsafe water supply, either boil water for one minute before drinking or drink bottled water.

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