Feral trichinosis in Africa

In this preliminary note the results are given of the examination of 537 animals from the area in Kenya where Forrester et al. (1961) described an outbreak of human trichinosis. T. spiralis larvae were found in a dog (Canis familiaris) and a leopard (Felis pardus) collected near Kerugoya on the lower slopes of Mount Kenya. The dog had eaten part of a wild pig (Potamochoerus porcus) which was believed to be the source of the human infections. It is known that leopards also eat wild pigs. Four hundred and thirty-seven rodents and more than 50 carnivores which are known to eat rodents were examined; none was infected. T. spiralis larvae were found in a hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) from the Masai plains more than 100 miles from Kerugoya. Trichinosis is believed to be rare in the tropics. There are no previous records of infections in wild animals in Africa. Man probably contracts trichinosis in Africa when he intrudes into a cycle confined to wild animals. The incidence and distribution of the infection in animals is not yet known.