For Immediate Release
August 11, 2006

Contact: Howard Sutter
 (714) 834-2178

Unusual Lung Infection Reported In Orange County

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has received reports of two cases of an unusual lung infection that is caused by a parasite and is associated with the consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater crab or crayfish.

“We have recently been notified of two 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. “We are working closely with the California Department of Health Services to try to identify the source of the infected crabs so we can prevent future illnesses.”

Lung fluke infection can be a very 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.

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