Trichinosis in wild boar: where should samples be tested?

Wild boar meat is a valuable culinary resource for hunters and foodies, but its consumption, especially given the overpopulation of these ungulates, requires precautions. Trichinosis is one of those diseases they carry and can be prevented with a few simple steps.

What is trichinosis?

Trichinosis is a disease caused by the parasite Trichinella spiralis and other related species. This parasite is found in the meat of some wild animals, such as wild boars, foxes, and even farmed pigs.

Humans can become infected by eating contaminated meat that hasn't been properly cooked. Once ingested, the parasites release larvae that invade muscle tissue, causing symptoms ranging from mild (fever, muscle pain) to severe, such as heart or neurological problems.

Wild boars are animals that feed on a varied diet, including rodents or remains of other animals, which exposes them to this parasite.

The Trichina test

This is the analysis that detects the presence of the parasite in meat. To perform this test, a small fragment of the wild boar's diaphragm must be taken, as this area is most likely to harbor the parasite in larval form.

The sample is sent to an authorized laboratory, which you can likely find at veterinary clinics. They perform a microscopic examination or an advanced test called enzymatic digestion to identify the presence of larvae.

If you want to perform trichinae testing in Madrid, you can go to this laboratory: TAKE TRICHINAE TEST MADRID .

In many cases, hunting reserves have agreements with laboratories to perform these analyses quickly and affordably. Consult them or your hunting association.

If you want to see how we butcher a wild boar and cook it with chocolate, don't miss episode 4 of our series "The Wild Boar."

Author: María Balletbó