Travel Threat - Liver Fluke

Food hygiene is always a big issue in Vietnam; the local press report new cases of food poisoning or similar issues almost everyday. Just recently, a new threat appeared, attracting great public attention.

Instances of people carrying the great liver fluked have been discovered in 45 provinces and cities. This worm infects humans through under-cooked meat and vegetables, particularly the much loved water morning glory.

Doctor Antonio Montresor of the WHO was recently quoted in the local press as saying that the situation is becoming very serious, with many reports of people carrying the worm. Victims are distributed all over the country, making it difficult to treat. Common worm treatments are infective.

The issue surfaced recently when a number of patients were thought initially to have liver cancer, but were later discovered to be infected with liver fluke. It has also been reported that in the same cases the worm drilled a hole to get out of the body.

To be continued.

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