Parker Waichman LLP

Mystery Disease Tied to Pig Brains

Illness Among Workers at Pig Slaughterhouses had the CDC Worried. An illness among workers at pig slaughterhouses had the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) worried, and it has begun investigating the mystery ailment.  The new disease has surfaced in 12 of 1,300 employees at the Quality Pork Processors factory near Minneapolis.  Patients complain of burning sensations, […]

Pig Brains

Illness Among Workers at Pig Slaughterhouses had the CDC Worried. An illness among workers at pig slaughterhouses had the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) worried, and it has begun investigating the mystery ailment.  The new disease has surfaced in 12 of 1,300 employees at the Quality Pork Processors factory near Minneapolis.  Patients complain of burning sensations, numbness, and weakness in the arms and legs.  For some, walking is difficult and work impossible and, while symptoms have slowly lessened in severity in some, it has not completely disappeared in any of the patients.

The CDC and they are looking into about 25 other large-scale pig slaughterhouses in 13 states to locate other cases. CDC investigators believe they found a few more at an Indiana slaughterhouse, one of only two places other than the Minnesota plant that use compressed air to empty pig skulls.  All three establishments have ceased that activity.

The illness is similar to some known conditions, but is not an exact match to any, nor is its cause.  The ailment—tentatively being called “progressive inflammatory neuropathy”—resembles Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune condition that sometimes follows fairly benign infections, particularly those caused by an intestinal bacterium called Campylobacter.  In the Minnesota  cases no germ is involved.  Apparently, the seemingly new illness is a result of inhaling microscopic flecks of pig brain.  “This appears to be something new,” Minnesota’s state epidemiologist, Ruth Lynfield, said last week.

12 Quality Pork Workers Stricken With The Neurological Illness

Before it closed, the Minnesota packinghouse slaughtered 1,900 pigs a day, working two meat-cutting shifts and one clean-up shift.  Virtually every part of the pig was used, including ears, entrails, and bone.  The 12 Quality Pork workers stricken with the neurological illness are mostly Hispanic immigrants and all work at or near the “head table” where the animals’ severed heads are processed.  One of the steps in the process involves removing the pigs’ brains with compressed air forced into the skull through the spinal cord entrance.  Brains are then packed and sent to markets in Korea and China as food.

Investigators do not believe the meat was contaminated and have theorized that the harvesting technique—”blowing brains” on the floor—produces aerosols of brain matter.  Once the matter is inhaled, the body’s immune system produces antibodies that attack the brain compounds.  Apparently, the antibodies also attack the body’s own nerve tissue because of its similarity to that of the pig.

In November 2006, a worker came down with fever, malaise and rapidly progressing weakness. When he was admitted to a Rochester hospital he was unable to walk.  Weeks, or possibly months before, he was assigned the job of “blowing brains” on one of the shifts.  Like many of the subsequent patients, he had evidence in his bloodstream and spinal fluid of inflammation and was given high-dose intravenous steroids, as is common for similar conditions.  Over the course of a few months he regained most of his function, but the cause of the problem remained unknown.  In April, he returned to work at the head table.  Within two months, he developed widespread pain and sensation or weakness.  He was taken off work in June and recovered over the summer, returning to the plant in September.  By November, his painful symptoms returned.

Need Legal Help Regarding Pig Brains?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Responsiveness For such a bad situation the kindness, always willing to call you back within a few hours. If they don't know something they go on a search. These are the lawyers that give lawyers a GOOD NAME!!!! Gina Viti is a fantastic person to have asa point of contact I can not say enough about her.
BIG ECO
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I am very grateful for the extraordinary service I received at Parker Waichman. Thanks to Melissa and Jorge for all their help
Blas Diaz
a year ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Parker Waichman handled the case for my dad who had bed sores.The team was very professional.The paralegal Michele Josama who was assigned to the case was an absolute pleasure to deal with.She was always so helpful in every way.Her patience and kindness was outstanding.Michael Zaransky the attorney on the case was very attentive to all our requests and delivered a result that we were very pleased with.Parker Waichman will certainly be recommended to anyone I know that needs legal assistance!!
richard nissenbaum
5 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038