Trichinosis

Excerpt

Trichinosis or trichinellosis is a helminth infection primarily contracted from poor or improper preparation of food. Pork and its products are the primary sources of infection. It can be potentially fatal, but more commonly is a self-limiting disease. Discovery of trichinosis is attributed to Sir Richard Owen and Sir James Paget who in 1835, observed a mass of worms lining the diaphragm of a cadaver. It is a persistent public health issue in countries where there is high pork consumption.