For Immediate Release
September 8, 2006

Contact: Deanne Thompson
 (714) 834-2178

Additional Lung Fluke Cases Identified 

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency’s continuing investigation of lung fluke infections associated with eating raw or undercooked freshwater sawagani crabs has now identified a total of eight laboratory confirmed cases.

Freshwater sawagani crabs have a shell that is about three-quarters of an inch across, or about the size of the first joint on a person’s thumb. Including the legs, the crabs are slightly more than 2 inches in size. Reports suggest the crabs have been eaten whole either live or battered and fried.

Lung fluke infection is not transmitted from person-to-person. Symptoms of lung fluke infection may appear as late as 6 to 10 weeks after eating raw or undercooked freshwater crab and may include cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and hives. The parasite that causes the infection, Paragonimus, can migrate from the lungs to other organs and the infection can last for years. Medication is available to treat the infection.

Anyone who has developed any of these symptoms after eating raw or undercooked freshwater crab, even if the symptoms are mild, should consult their physician and be sure to mention ingestion of the crab.

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