Muslims hit by pork disease

2004-01-19 18:32

Ankara - Forty-eight people in a conservative Muslim district of the western Turkey city of Izmir have fallen ill to a disease after unknowingly eating uncooked pork.

The outbreak of trichinosis, a disease spread by microscopic parasites and usually found in pork products, has been traced to a single seller of "cig kofte", a local delicacy usually made with uncooked veal but which in this case was made with pork.

Nusret Ermaner, the cook at the centre of the controversy, was reported in Turkish newspapers on Monday as saying he had always ordered veal from a local butcher and had always insisted that the meat be prepared according to Islamic laws. Eating pork is banned according to the Koran.

"I am a victim of my butcher," Ermaner said, adding that he and his wife had also contracted the disease.

Trichinosis results in fever, muscle soreness, pain, swelling around the eyes, thirst, profuse sweating, chills, weakness and tiredness and if untreated could prove fatal.

Dr Mehmet Ali Ozcel, head of the Turkish Parasitology Association, said he had found the outbreak of trichinosis remarkable considering that since 1950 only two cases had been reported. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA