In a nutshell
- Researchers found human-infecting parasitic worms in 93% of freshwater fish sampled from popular fishing spots in southern California, including bluegill and largemouth bass.
- A review of 125 YouTube videos revealed widespread raw consumption of freshwater fish across the U.S., often without proper freezing or cooking, ideal conditions for parasite transmission.
- These parasites are likely more widespread than reported, and public health experts warn that eating raw, unfrozen freshwater fish could pose an emerging health risk in the United States.
SAN DIEGO — Americans love their sushi, ceviche, and poke bowls. But a new study reveals that eating raw freshwater fish, particularly those caught in your local lake or river, could expose you to dangerous parasitic worms that are spreading rapidly across the United States.
The study, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, revealed that two species of parasitic trematodes, tiny worms that can cause serious intestinal illness, are now infecting common game fish throughout southern California and likely much of the country. Researchers also found hundreds of YouTube videos showing Americans eating these same infected fish species completely raw, often promoting dangerous myths about food safety.
“Americans don’t usually think about parasites when they eat freshwater fish because it hasn’t historically been an issue here,” says study author Ryan Hechinger from the University of California-San Diego, in a statement. “But these trematodes have now been widely introduced in the U.S. and that means that doctors and the public should be aware.”…