Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Doctors warn of kangaroo meat bug

Glenda Cooper
Thursday 02 October 1997 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Australians have been warned against eating undercooked game meat, including kangaroo and wallaby, after doctors discovered what could be a new parasite spread to humans.

Professor John Goldsmid, professor of medical microbiology at the University of Tasmania, said that a parasite had been found in a Tasmanian man who had suffered severe muscle weakness. At one stage he needed a ventilator and tracheotomy to breathe.

The professor told the Australian College of General Practitioners in Hobart, that the patient was a big eater of native meat and undercooked wallaby and kangaroo involved "probable dangers".

The International Fund for Animal Welfare, which is campaigning against "the cruelty of kangaroo slaughter and the unhygienic treatment of the meat", called on supermarkets in this country to stop selling kangaroo meat. It says the meat "has been touted as the new `healthy' alternative to red meat in the UK yet it may cause unimagined health problems".

- Glenda Cooper

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in