CDC Confirms: Dining on Undercooked Bear Meat Is a New ‘Rare’ Trend in North Carolina – Who Knew Colonizing Your Gut Could Be This Literal?

In a culinary adventure that should probably come with a warning label, a gathering in North Carolina last year has sparked a delightful new trend in the world of public health: *parasitic infections from undercooked bear meat*. Yes, you heard that right. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this rustic rendezvous culminated in what they’re officially calling a “presumed outbreak of trichinellosis.” Because nothing says “Quality Time” quite like exchanging roundworm larvae over a chargrilled bear kebab.

Trichinellosis, a disease that sounds like it was conjured up by a mad scientist, happens when you decide to tempt fate and eat undercooked or raw meat riddled with lazy little roundworm larvae. The CDC has helpfully informed us that cooking your wild game meat to a precise 165 degrees Fahrenheit should turn those rebellious roundworms into a nice, charred memory. But who wants to ruin the rustic flavor with an inconvenient thing called “safety”?

In the thrilling study of the 34 attendees, 65% bravely admitted to sampling the bear meat. Among the 10 likely infection cases, symptoms included not just the joy of a hearty meal but also facial swelling, muscle aches, and fevers that would make a sauna look like a walk in the park. Who knew bear meat could come with a side of facial distortion for free?

This wasn’t just a spontaneous outbreak; it was a carefully orchestrated production. The North Carolina Division of Public Health got the memo on November 29 when someone had, shockingly, linked a case of trichinellosis to their latest culinary curiosity. Strangely enough, while undercooked bear meat tends to be a rarity, it’s practically a family heirloom at this point in the U.S. Less than a year ago, another bear meat extravaganza took place at a nine-person family reunion in South Dakota—where one family member unknowingly upgraded the traditional kebab by using *thawed bear meat* that had spent more than a month in the freezer. Honestly, leave it to a bear to throw a wrench in simple meal prep!

The family, lacking a Michelin-star chef, had no idea that the meat could be undercooked (shocking, given its dark color). What was a simple barbecue quickly descended into a carnival of fevers, headaches, stomach quirks, and visions of swelling around the eyes to rival the latest monster movie. The CDC reported that at least six lucky family members got hit with these symptoms, proving that their meat-eating extravaganza was more than just a dinner—it was an *experience*.

Between January 2016 and December 2022, the CDC identified seven outbreaks of trichinellosis in the U.S. with a whopping 35 cases, most linked to our furry friends from the wild. So, next time you’re digging into some bear meat, just remember: it may not just be the food that’s rare.