We had a similar experience but fortunately nobody died. But it wasn't bear meat. It was broiled pork chops. Go figure! Like I said, I've eaten a lot of bears fixed just about everyway possible. Me and my family are fine and so are my hunters. I really think that trichinosis in a bear would be more prevalent in a bear that was taken close to farm land where there are livestock such as pigs being raised. That's why I find it unusual that it would happen in Northern Quebec. But the general rule...cook it well done!! Here's one more thought for you and it's really something to think about. If they were hunting through an outfitter or an outfitter that was baiting in close proximity to where the bear was taken...(wasmaybe the outfitterbaiting with pork meat scraps?).