The Texas Animal Health Commission inspected the farm but saw no evidence that garbage was being fed to the pigs at the time. The farm had previously been implicated as the source of a Trichinella sp. No further cases have been reported. Serum from pigs at the implicated farm is being sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to test for trichinosis antibody. In an effort to educate the Laotian population, the Texas Department of Health is developing a pamphlet on trichinosis and its prevention written in Laotian.
Infection occurs when raw or inadequately cooked meat, most commonly pork, is ingested.
Moreover, it has been shown that swine readily feed on barnyard rodents that may harbor Trichinella sp. Consequently, trichinosis control depends almost entirely on the way consumers store and prepare pork. This is reflected in the ethnic-related prevalance of trichinosis. To help prevent future outbreaks, special health-education programs may be necessary for these new consumers. Trichinella and trichinosis.