Ronan Kelly
Retired 2020
Parasite that poses serious health risk found in meat
By Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
Wednesday July 21 2010
A POTENTIALLY dangerous parasite that is a risk to pregnant women and people with weakened defences has been found in Irish meat.
The first survey of the prevalence of toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis, showed it was present in chicken, pigs, sheep and deer due to be slaughtered for the meat market.
There have been 171 reported cases of humans catching the infection here since 2004 after handling or consuming raw or undercooked meat from infected animals, or from handling contaminated cat faeces.
The effects of toxoplasmosis are generally mild, flu-like symptoms because people with healthy immune systems have the defences to prevent it from causing more serious illness.
Symptoms can include body or muscle aches, a high temperature, tiredness, nausea, and a sore throat. However, it can damage the brain, and other organs, of an unborn baby if a pregnant woman becomes infected. It may also cause vision problems and brain damage in people with weakened immune systems.
The survey by Teagasc showed it was present in sheep (40pc), pigs (4pc), chicken (1.5pc) and deer (12pc) before slaughter.
Temperature
As a protection, people should ensure that they cook meat to a safe internal temperature of 63 degrees centigrade for beef, lamb and veal, roasts and steak.
The cooking temperature should be 71 degrees for pork, mince meat and wild game, and 82 degrees for poultry.
The survey said precautions should be taken while handling meat products, including washing hands and cleaning surfaces and utensils after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry.
- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/health/la...erious-health-risk-found-in-meat-2265998.html
By Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
Wednesday July 21 2010
A POTENTIALLY dangerous parasite that is a risk to pregnant women and people with weakened defences has been found in Irish meat.
The first survey of the prevalence of toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis, showed it was present in chicken, pigs, sheep and deer due to be slaughtered for the meat market.
There have been 171 reported cases of humans catching the infection here since 2004 after handling or consuming raw or undercooked meat from infected animals, or from handling contaminated cat faeces.
The effects of toxoplasmosis are generally mild, flu-like symptoms because people with healthy immune systems have the defences to prevent it from causing more serious illness.
Symptoms can include body or muscle aches, a high temperature, tiredness, nausea, and a sore throat. However, it can damage the brain, and other organs, of an unborn baby if a pregnant woman becomes infected. It may also cause vision problems and brain damage in people with weakened immune systems.
The survey by Teagasc showed it was present in sheep (40pc), pigs (4pc), chicken (1.5pc) and deer (12pc) before slaughter.
Temperature
As a protection, people should ensure that they cook meat to a safe internal temperature of 63 degrees centigrade for beef, lamb and veal, roasts and steak.
The cooking temperature should be 71 degrees for pork, mince meat and wild game, and 82 degrees for poultry.
The survey said precautions should be taken while handling meat products, including washing hands and cleaning surfaces and utensils after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry.
- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/health/la...erious-health-risk-found-in-meat-2265998.html