Engaging northern communities in monitoring traditional country foods for zoonotic anisakid nematodes

• Main Author: Pufall, Erica
• Other Authors: Jones, A.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Guelph 2010
• Subjects: zoonotic anisakid nematodes; Northern communities; monitoring; traditional country foods; human health impacts; inuit; Nunavik
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10214/23216

This thesis investigated the potential for human health impacts of zoonotic anisakid nematode infections in Inuit-caught fish and marine mammals from Nunavik and Nunatsiavut, Canada, from July 2007 to August 2009. Anisakids were found in seven of eight fish species and two of three marine mammal species tested. Potential risk factors affecting parasite abundance were investigated using negative binomial models. Length was most commonly statistically significant; within species longer animals had greater parasite abundances. The potential for human infection prompted community-based qualitative investigations into perceptions of Inuit residents of Nain (Nunatsiavut) on country foods and strategies for dissemination of research results. Nain residents described the importance of country foods and concerns regarding the safety and security of these foods. Participants stressed the necessity of visual and interactive methods to present research results. Study findings can thus be used to inform Inuit about the animals that pose the greatest risk for infection with zoonotic anisakids.