Trichinosis is a foodborne disease caused by a microscopic parasite.
Anyone who eats undercooked meat of infected animals can develop trichinosis. Pork products are implicated more often than other meats. Animals such as pigs, dogs, cats, rats and many wild animals including fox, wolf and polar bear may harbor the parasite. When parasites are passed in the feces, they infect new animals. When humans eat infected pork that has been improperly cooked, they become infected.