Paragonimus (Lung Fluke)
Epidemiology & Assessment

Paragonimiasis is a disease caused by parasites called flukes, most commonly Paragonimus westermani. There are other Paragonimus species that can cause disease in humans. The major forms of disease are pulmonary (lung) and extrapulmonary (outside of the lung, such as in the abdomen or brain). Infections with this parasite have occurred in Orange County in persons who ate raw freshwater Japanese crabs, known as sawagani or regal crabs (shown at right).

	Paragonimus Fact Sheet (English) [PDF file, last updated 8/11/2006]
	Paragonimus Fact Sheet (en Español) [PDF file, Agosto del 2006]
	Press Release August 11, 2006 Press Release August 24, 2006 Press Release September 8, 2006

Physicians/Health Care Providers

• Consider paragonimiasis in patients with unexplained eosinophilia [pdf file, 8/29/06]
• Recent cases of paragonimiasis (lung flukes) associated with live freshwater crab consumption [pdf file, updated 8/11/06]