KM Viray
Fond of eating sushi and sashimi? This video may make you think twice about consuming these delicacies. Uncooked freshwater fish may cause gastro problems.
Research has shown that freshwater fish are naturally abundant with parasites, although not all fish parasites are harmful to humans when consumed. However, in certain fishes, there are tapeworms. In this viral video, two tapeworms were found in a single fish. It goes to show how meticulous one should be when preparing fish caught from rivers or lakes.
The fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum) is the largest parasite that infects humans. According to the US National Library of Medicine website, humans can become infected when they eat raw or undercooked freshwater fish that contain fish tapeworm cysts.
The infection is seen in many areas such as Africa, Eastern Europe, North and South America, and Asia. Infection may manifest itself in humans as abdominal discomfort or pain, diarrhea, weakness, and/or weight loss.
Adults tapeworms are white, flattened, segmented worms that inhabit the intestine. Some tapeworms occur only as larvae in fish and develop into adults in other animals such as predatory fish, birds, or mammals.
Although medication and treatments are available should anyone consume an infected fish, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Always make sure your raw fish are properly cleaned and gutted.
