[Epidemiology of Trichinella spiralis infections in the Eifel region, 1982].

In November 1982 146 persons became ill within a few days with trichinosis in Bitburg (GFR). Prompt epidemiological and immunodiagnostic investigations demonstrated the high likelihood of infection by ingestion of raw sausage produced at a butcher's near Bitburg. The diagnosis of trichinosis could be ascertained still in the acute phase of disease by demonstration of the Trichinella larvae in peripheral blood. Retrospective analysis of earlier disease from the same area showed that the same infection source had led to a smaller epidemic already in August/September of 1982. This investigation confirms that epidemic trichinosis may occur in the GFR despite law-enforced assessment of meat for Trichinella. However, by combination of epidemiological and immunodiagnostic methods the mode and source of infection can be established promptly and reliably.