Can you get sick from eating beaver meat?
Beaver is safe to eat. It is also one of the healthiest foods available. The benefits of consuming beaver are much greater than the risks of contaminant exposure.
Beaver meat is not only edible, but the tail is considered a delicacy. According to American Indian myths and the lore of American mountain men, beaver has always been on the menu.
Although there have been occasional reports of rare and low-level trichinellae infestation in beavers, no human cases of beaver-associated trichinellosis have been described. This report presents a possible case of human trichinellosis linked to beaver meat.
It is passed in the feces (poop) of an infected person or animal and may contaminate water or food. The beaver has gained attention as a potential source of Giardia contamination of lakes, reservoirs, and streams, but human fecal wastes are also play an important role in spreading the parasite.
- Diarrhea.
- Gas.
- Foul-smelling, greasy poop that can float.
- Stomach cramps or pain.
- Upset stomach or nausea.
- Dehydration.
People with giardiasis will usually feel better and no longer have symptoms within 2 to 6 weeks. However, in some cases, symptoms may seem to be gone but will return after several days or weeks.
Generally, beaver meat is described as mild or bland, while some people find it sweet. The texture of this meat is chewy similar to beef jerky that is dried. Some even commented online that it's like yard clippings or tree bark.
Beaver meat is fine-textured and can be tough if cooked too quickly, so most recipes call for it to be slow-cooked until tender. The whole animal or its meaty legs can be slow-roasted in a low oven, at 275 to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, in a covered roaster with a splash of water, wine or broth to provide moisture.
Beaver tail was a delicacy amongst mountain men as it's a great source of fat, which can be hard to find in the wild. I simply grill the tail over high heat, crack it open, and use the fatty goodness that's inside the tail the same way chefs use bone marrow. It makes for a very delicious appetizer.
Animals known to carry Giardia include humans, dogs, cats, beavers, muskrats and bears, and possibly sheep and moose. Beavers usually get the rap for spreading Giardia (beaver fever), but William Bemrick, a University of Minnesota researcher, said we blame beavers too often.
Can humans get beaver fever?
Giardia is a parasite that infects the intestines of humans and animals. When a person gets sick, the infection is called giardiasis or is sometimes referred to as 'beaver fever'. Giardiasis is one of the more common infectious causes of diarrhea lasting more than 2 weeks.
Giardiasis occurs all over the world, but it is more common in areas with poor sanitation. In developing countries, it can affect 20 to 30 percent of the population at any one time. In some places, it affects 100 percent of the population.
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