Westchester officials warn of infectious parasite exposure after game dinner
The Westchester County Department of Health is currently investigating two cases of toxoplasmosis, an infection with a parasite.
The two individuals became sick after attending game dinners held on Friday, January 19 and Saturday, January 20 at the Moses Taylor Jr. American Legion Post in Mount Kisco. Approximately 20 others are experiencing symptoms and are being tested. 200 people reportedly attended the dinner over the two day event.
The health department is recommending that “all individuals who ate food at, or ate leftovers from these game dinners” to contact their doctor about potential exposure to toxoplasmosis. The health department added that “anyone who is pregnant, immunosuppressed, experiencing visual changes or eye symptoms,” to contact the health department at 914-813-5180 during business hours, 914-813-5000 after hours.
An employee from the American Legion Post where the game dinner was held says he believed the cause was deer meat from a vendor that was not properly cooked.
Toxoplasmosis is an illness that can cause birth defects or miscarriages in pregnant women, can be deadly for those with a weakened immune system, or result in prolonged visual deficits in those with eye symptoms. A healthy person’s immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness, and most people do not require treatment. Some people with the parasite develop a flu-like illness that lasts a few weeks with symptoms that can include muscle aches, headache, fever with chills and sweats, tiredness, sore throat or swollen lymph nodes. Long-term effects, such as vision problems, are also possible.
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