Can Humans Get Worms From Eating an Animal?

Worm infestation in humans is common in most parts of the world, making it one of the leading health problems. Worms cause detrimental effects to human health, including diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, weight loss and fever. Most worm species enter animal or human bodies through eating food or drinking water contaminated with the worm eggs. After animals ingest the worm eggs, the eggs hatch in their intestines and get nourishment from the hosts' body. A variety of these worms can be transferred to the your body through eating undercooked or raw contaminated meat.

Tapeworms

• Tapeworms are commonly found in pork and pig products, since pigs are scavengers and feed on a variety of foods. Fish, cows and goats also host tapeworms. When these animals consume tapeworm eggs from contaminated water or food, the eggs hatch into larvae. The larvae grow and burrow into the muscle tissues of the animal and enter a dormant phase known as a cyst. When human beings eat raw or undercooked meat contaminated by these cysts, the larvae attach to their intestinal walls for nourishment and develop into adult tapeworms.

Trichinella

• Trichinella refers to an intestinal roundworm, whose larvae leave the digestive system to form cysts that burrows in the tissues of animals such as seals, pigs, horses, wild boar and walrus. Humans become infected by trichinella through consuming raw or undercooked contaminated wild game or pork. After the cysts find their way into your digestive system, they grow into adult trichinella roundworms. Trichinosis, which is characterized by symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain and nausea in human beings, is caused by the trichinella.

Flukes

• Flukes are found in water bodies including streams, lakes and rivers. Fluke eggs contaminate water and hatch into swimming larvae. Afterward, the larvae find their way into the bodies of aquatic animal such as fish, snails and crabs and burrow inside their muscles. Flukes find their way into your body when you eat undercooked or raw fish, crabs or snails contaminated with fluke larvae. After entering your bloodstream, fluke larvae find their way into your intestines and develop into adults.

Recommendation

• You can get a variety of worms by eating undercooked or raw meat contaminated with worms' larvae. Cook all meat thoroughly to ensure the worm eggs or larvae are destroyed by the heat. Roast the meat well so that no raw parts are visible in the center.