Neither this story nor the linked stories explain what species were
consumed nor how the live crabs were able to be imported and distributed
to restaurants without dealing with a parasite hazard in a HACCP plan.
Can somebody on this list provide that information? Thanks.
-Liz
===============================================
> Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2006 15:08:19 -0400 (EDT)
> From: ProMED-mail <promed@promed.isid.harvard.edu>
> Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Paragonimus - US (CA)
>
> PARAGONIMUS - US (CALIFORNIA)
> *******************************
> A ProMED-mail post
> <http://www.promedmail.org>
> ProMED-mail is a program of the
> International Society for Infectious Diseases
> <http://www.isid.org>
>
> Date: Sun 20 Aug 2006
> From: Brent Barrett <salbrent@sbcglobal.net>
> Source: County of Orange Health Care Agency Press Release, 11 Aug 2006 [edited]
> <http://www.ochealthinfo.com/press/2006/08-11.htm>
>
>
> Paragonimiasis from Eating Raw Imported Freshwater Crab
> - -----------------------------------------------
> Two cases of this parasitic infection have been identified in persons
> who consumed live, imported, freshwater crabs in a restaurant in
> Orange County, Santa Ana, CA, USA.
>
> "The Orange County Health Care Agency has received reports of 2 cases
> of lung fluke infection caused by the parasite Paragonimus. These
> infections are usually related to eating raw or undercooked
> freshwater crab that is infected with the parasite," said Dr. Hildy
> Meyers, Medical Director of Public Health Epidemiology and Assessment.
>
> Lung fluke infection can be a serious illness in humans, but it is
> not transmitted from person-to-person. Symptoms of lung fluke
> infection can include cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea,
> abdominal pain, fever and hives. The parasite, Paragonimus, can
> migrate from the lungs to other organs, and infection can last for
> years. Medication is available to treat the infection. "We encourage
> anyone who has developed any of these symptoms after eating raw or
> undercooked freshwater crab, even if the symptoms are mild, to
> contact their physician as soon as possible and provide information
> about when and where raw crab or crayfish may have been consumed. In
> many people, onset of symptoms may not occur until 6-10 weeks after
> ingestion of raw, undercooked, salted or pickled crab. It is also
> very important that freshwater crab and crayfish are properly cooked
> and not undercooked before they are eaten," Dr. Meyers stated.
>
> A Fact Sheet and information for health care professionals are posted online at
> <http://www.ochealthinfo.com/epi/paragonimus.htm>.
>
> - --
> Brent Barrett
> Indianapolis, IN
> <salbrent@sbcglobal.net>
>
> [Paragonimus is a trematode belonging to the same group of helminths
> as _Schistosoma_ and _Opistrochis_. The most common Paragonimus
> infection in humans is _Paragonimus wetermani_, which is found
> worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas. Humans and several other
> mammals can be infected. When Paragonimus eggs hatch in fresh water,
> the miracidium enters different snails and develops into cercaria,
> which infect freshwater crabs and crayfish, where they form cysts in
> gills and muscles. When freshwater crabs are eaten raw, the parasite
> penetrates the gut wall, migrates through the abdominal cavity and
> passes the diaphragm, where it develops into adult worms. The
> classical symptoms of a fully developed infection is bloody sputum in
> which Paragonimus eggs can be demonstrated, and Paragonimus is,
> therefore, an important differential diagnosis to tuberculosis. In
> the migratory phase, elevated eosinophils and IgE are common.
> Diagnosis can be aided by detection of specific antibodies. The
> treatment of choice is praziquantel. - Mod.EP]
-- Liz Brown Assistant Professor Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences University of Alaska Fairbanks PO Box 1549 Dillingham, Alaska 99576 907-842-1265 fax 907-842-3202 http://seagrant.uaf.edu/map
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