Health officials warn against eating raw crawfish from Missouri Rivers
May 4, 2010
Six confirmed cases of rare human paragonimiasis (lung fluke)
infections have turned up in the state, most recently in April.The Missouri
Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) said all six cases occurred in
patients who ate raw crawfish from rivers in Missouri.
The lung fluke is
a food-borne parasitic infection caused by a trematode ingested by eating raw or
undercooked freshwater crabs or crayfishes. Those who are infected have several
pulmonary symptoms, including fever, cough and spitting up blood- symptoms that
mimic tuberculosis.
The parasite eventually breaks through the digestive
tract and can infest the body cavity, including the lungs brain and nervous
system.
Health officials advise that crabs and crayfish should be cooked
thoroughly prior to eating to avoid the risk of infection. The DHSS distributed
posters to campgrounds and canoe rental businesses to warn the public about the
danger of eating raw crayfish.
The DHSS urges persons who develop
symptoms after ingesting raw crabs or crayfish seek medical care. All six
patients in Missouri were hospitalized and were given a medicine to treat
parasitic infections and have shown improvement.
Medical providers who
have known or suspected cases are asked to report it to their local public
health agency or to DHSS by calling 866-628-9891; by email to Dr. Philip Lo at
Philip.Lo@dhss.mo.gov; or by fax at
573-526-0235.