Latest news with #RyanHechinger
The Star
2 days ago
- General
- The Star
California freshwater fish found to be teeming with parasites
NEW YORK, June 4 (Xinhua) -- More than 90 percent of popular freshwater fish in U.S. Southern California are carrying human-infecting parasites, posing a significant danger for those who like to eat freshly caught freshwater fish, according to a study published on Tuesday in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The parasites are called trematodes. Two species of the flatworms were discovered in California's freshwater fish. The tiny, flattened and sluglike creatures can cause gastrointestinal problems, weight loss and lethargy when a person eats an infected fish. In some rare and severe cases, the parasites have caused strokes or heart attacks. "Americans don't usually think about parasites when they eat freshwater fish because it hasn't historically been an issue here," the Los Angeles Times quoted Ryan Hechinger, the study's senior author, as saying. In fact, even when a person has fallen ill from a locally caught infected freshwater fish, their healthcare provider will typically ask if the patient has recently traveled outside of the United States, Hechinger said.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning over parasite-riddled fish eaten by millions that cause heart attacks
Nearly every single freshwater fish in Southern California may be riddled with parasites that could cause serious health issues in humans. Researchers from the University of California-San Diego revealed that a staggering 93 percent of the 84 freshwater game fish they examined carried two species of trematodes - parasitic worms that infect people who eat raw or undercooked fish. These freshwater species included bluegills, largemouth bass, green sunfish, bluegill-green sunfish hybrids, redear sunfish, black crappies, and the common carp. The two species of flatworms discovered (Haplorchis pumilio and Centrocestus formosanus) typically cause stomach problems, weight loss, and fatigue in people. However, the research team warned that particularly severe infections can lead to heart attacks of strokes. The researchers added that Americans don't often think about freshwater fish having parasites, but the outbreak has already been found in Texas, Florida, and Utah as well. Ryan Hechinger, an ecologist at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography said: 'These parasites are here in the US, and they're infecting fish that people are eating.' The fish are typically found in warm, shallow waters with vegetation nearby. However, this has also become a thriving habitat for the invasive snail Melanoides tuberculata, which carries the trematodes spreading to local fish. Freshwater game fish include multiple species that live in lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. They're popular targets for recreational fishing, often because anglers consider them fun to catch or good to eat. Fully cooking any fish caught in these locations will eliminate the parasites, according to guidelines from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For those who eat raw fish, in items like sushi, they need to freeze their catch for at least a week to kill the trematodes. The parasites were mostly in the fins and gills, though H. pumilio was often found in the muscle tissue near fin bases, which could end up in fish fillets. Overall, researchers found 78 of the 84 fish they examined are carrying the parasitic worms. Other popular freshwater game fish that could be at risk from the snail's parasites include catfish, trout, salmon, and perch. The study authors fear that millions of people could be at risk of contamination, based on the amount of interest in eating raw fish on social media and platforms like YouTube. During their study, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, Hechinger's team also looked at 125 popular YouTube videos which featured people eating raw freshwater fish. Nearly two-thirds (65%) did not mention the proper cooking or freezing methods for these fish, which the team believes is promoting bad habits and will likely lead to the spread of dangerous parasites among seafood lovers. According to the study authors, many videos also spread false information, like claiming that marinating fish in citrus juice or choosing 'healthy-looking' fish eliminates the risk of parasites, which isn't true. While there hasn't been widespread outbreak of trematode infections reported in California or elsewhere, Hechinger said that doesn't mean many people aren't getting sick. 'Nobody is looking for cases and doctors aren't required to report them,' he explained. Hechinger added that his team believes fish-borne trematode infections should be added to the list of diseases doctors have to report to public health officials. The FDA explains that improper cooking of fish means it hasn't reached an internal temperature of at least 145°F. For those freezing their fish to eat it raw, it needs to reach a temperature of -4°F for seven days or be flash-frozen at -31°F for at least 15 hours. When fish is improperly cooked or frozen, the trematodes can survive and then infect the human body when eaten. Once swallowed, these parasites enter your stomach and not even the stomach's acids can kill the larvae, which are protected by a cyst-like covering. In the small intestine, digestive enzymes break down this covering and release the young worms into the gastrointestinal tract. Over the next few days to weeks, the juvenile worms grow into adults, which are about one to two millimeters long. As the worms multiply and attach themselves to the small intestine, they irritate the intestinal lining, leading to symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, and indigestion. After eating infected fish, most symptoms of H. pumilio or C. formosanus typically start within one to two weeks. If left untreated, the more severe symptoms of a chronic infection could start to show one to three months after eating the fish. Once doctors diagnose someone with an infection, the standard treatment is an anti-parasitic medication called Praziquantel. The infections typically clear up within days after taking the drug.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
California freshwater fish found to be teeming with parasites. How to keep from getting sick
LOS ANGELES - More than 90% of popular freshwater fish in Southern California are carrying human-infecting parasites, researchers say. This poses a significant danger for those who like to eat freshly caught freshwater fish. But there are ways to protect yourself. The parasites are called trematodes. Two species of the flatworms were discovered in California's freshwater fish, according to a study published Tuesday in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The tiny, flattened and sluglike creatures can cause gastrointestinal problems, weight loss and lethargy when a person eats an infected fish. In some rare and severe cases, the parasites have caused strokes or heart attacks. "Americans don't usually think about parasites when they eat freshwater fish because it hasn't historically been an issue here," said Ryan Hechinger, the study's senior author. In fact, even when a person has fallen ill from a locally caught infected freshwater fish, their healthcare provider will typically ask if the patient has recently traveled outside of the United States, Hechinger said. California wasn't this parasite's first home Researchers identified two species of trematode: Haplorchis pumilio and Centrocestus formosanus. These two parasite species have historically infected people in Southeast Asia who eat raw fish, crustaceans or vegetables that carry the parasite larvae. A trematode has a very specific life cycle, leeching onto three hosts that include a freshwater snail, a fish and then a bird or human who ate the infected fish. The parasite was probably carried to the U.S. by the red-rimmed melania, or Malaysian trumpet snail, which is host to a number of parasitic species and was introduced to the United States, Hechinger estimates, decades ago. It inhabits "freshwater springs, streams, lakes and swamps," according to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, but can occasionally be found in "brackish and marine habitats, especially mangroves" (think the Everglades). The snail first popped up in California in 1972 in a Riverside County ditch, according to the center. Hechinger, through previous and new research, found that the snail and its associated trematode parasites can be widely found in lakes and reservoirs across the state. He's identified the snails in Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. Some fish harbor thousands of parasites In summer and fall 2023, researchers, with the help of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, analyzed fresh fish that were collected at five fishing localities in San Diego County: Miramar, Murray, Lower Otay and San Vicente reservoirs as well as Chollas Lake. The fish included largemouth bass and bluegill. Hechinger and his team found that 93% of all the fish in the study were infected with the H. pumilio parasite, with some individual fish harboring thousands of the parasites. The second parasite, C. formosanus, was found at two of the five locations, where it occurred in 91% of the fish. The parasites are each found on different parts of the fish. H. pumilio is found at the base of the fins and C. formosanus is found on the gills. But the parasites can infect the muscles and connective tissue of the fish, Hechinger said, which is how a person eating it can get sick despite cutting off the head and fins. "The other thing we have to remember," he said, "is the possibility of contamination on the food preparation surfaces and utensils." How to protect yourself The risk is real, but the precautions you can take against illness are straightforward. Thorough cooking of any freshwater fish that could potentially be infected can prevent illness, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If you choose to eat the fish raw, the agency advises you eat freshwater fish that has been previously frozen. Freezing will kill parasites that may be present. However, the FDA said freezing doesn't kill all harmful germs, so the safest route is to thoroughly cook your seafood. Some food prep is fishy As part of this study, researchers conducted a survey of 125 YouTube videos with a total of 5 million views and found that 65% of these videos did not mention proper cooking or freezing of caught fish. The lack of proper food preparation not only promotes the transmission of parasites but can also increase the odds of infection, Hechinger said. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
California freshwater fish found to be teeming with parasites. How to keep from getting sick
More than 90% of popular freshwater fish in Southern California are carrying human-infecting parasites, researchers say. This poses a significant danger for those who like to eat freshly caught freshwater fish. But there are ways to protect yourself. The parasites are called trematodes. Two species of the flatworms were discovered in California's freshwater fish, according to a study published Tuesday in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The tiny, flattened and sluglike creatures can cause gastrointestinal problems, weight loss and lethargy when a person eats an infected fish. In some rare and severe cases, the parasites have caused strokes or heart attacks. 'Americans don't usually think about parasites when they eat freshwater fish because it hasn't historically been an issue here,' said Ryan Hechinger, the study's senior author. In fact, even when a person has fallen ill from a locally caught infected freshwater fish, their healthcare provider will typically ask if the patient has recently traveled outside of the United States, Hechinger said. Researchers identified two species of trematode: Haplorchis pumilio and Centrocestus formosanus. These two parasite species have historically infected people in Southeast Asia who eat raw fish, crustaceans or vegetables that carry the parasite larvae. A trematode has a very specific life cycle, leeching onto three hosts that include a freshwater snail, a fish and then a bird or human who ate the infected fish. The parasite was probably carried to the U.S. by the red-rimmed melania, or Malaysian trumpet snail, which is host to a number of parasitic species and was introduced to the United States, Hechinger estimates, decades ago. It inhabits "freshwater springs, streams, lakes and swamps," according to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, but can occasionally be found in "brackish and marine habitats, especially mangroves" (think the Everglades). The snail first popped up in California in 1972 in a Riverside County ditch, according to the center. Hechinger, through previous and new research, found that the snail and its associated trematode parasites can be widely found in lakes and reservoirs across the state. He's identified the snails in Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. In summer and fall 2023, researchers, with the help of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, analyzed fresh fish that were collected at five fishing localities in San Diego County: Miramar, Murray, Lower Otay and San Vicente reservoirs as well as Chollas Lake. The fish included largemouth bass and bluegill. Hechinger and his team found that 93% of all the fish in the study were infected with the H. pumilio parasite, with some individual fish harboring thousands of the parasites. The second parasite, C. formosanus, was found at two of the five locations, where it occurred in 91% of the fish. The parasites are each found on different parts of the fish. H. pumilio is found at the base of the fins and C. formosanus is found on the gills. But the parasites can infect the muscles and connective tissue of the fish, Hechinger said, which is how a person eating it can get sick despite cutting off the head and fins. "The other thing we have to remember," he said, "is the possibility of contamination on the food preparation surfaces and utensils." The risk is real, but the precautions you can take against illness are straightforward. Thorough cooking of any freshwater fish that could potentially be infected can prevent illness, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If you choose to eat the fish raw, the agency advises you eat freshwater fish that has been previously frozen. Freezing will kill parasites that may be present. However, the FDA said freezing doesn't kill all harmful germs, so the safest route is to thoroughly cook your seafood. As part of this study, researchers conducted a survey of 125 YouTube videos with a total of 5 million views and found that 65% of these videos did not mention proper cooking or freezing of caught fish. The lack of proper food preparation not only promotes the transmission of parasites but can also increase the odds of infection, Hechinger said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
California freshwater fish found to be teeming with parasites. How to keep from getting sick
More than 90% of popular freshwater fish in Southern California are carrying human-infecting parasites, researchers say. This poses a significant danger for those who like to eat freshly caught freshwater fish. But there are ways to protect yourself. The parasites are called trematodes. Two species of the flatworms were discovered in California's freshwater fish, according to a study published Tuesday in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The tiny, flattened and sluglike creatures can cause gastrointestinal problems, weight loss and lethargy when a person eats an infected fish. In some rare and severe cases, the parasites have caused strokes or heart attacks. 'Americans don't usually think about parasites when they eat freshwater fish because it hasn't historically been an issue here,' said Ryan Hechinger, the study's senior author. In fact, even when a person has fallen ill from a locally caught infected freshwater fish, their healthcare provider will typically ask if the patient has recently traveled outside of the United States, Hechinger said. Researchers identified two species of trematode: Haplorchis pumilio and Centrocestus formosanus. These two parasite species have historically infected people in Southeast Asia who eat raw fish, crustaceans or vegetables that carry the parasite larvae. A trematode has a very specific life cycle, leeching onto three hosts that include a freshwater snail, a fish and then a bird or human who ate the infected fish. The parasite was probably carried to the U.S. by the red-rimmed melania, or Malaysian trumpet snail, which is host to a number of parasitic species and was introduced to the United States, Hechinger estimates, decades ago. It inhabits 'freshwater springs, streams, lakes and swamps,' according to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, but can occasionally be found in 'brackish and marine habitats, especially mangroves' (think the Everglades). The snail first popped up in California in 1972 in a Riverside County ditch, according to the center. Hechinger, through previous and new research, found that the snail and its associated trematode parasites can be widely found in lakes and reservoirs across the state. He's identified the snails in Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. In summer and fall 2023, researchers, with the help of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, analyzed fresh fish that were collected at five fishing localities in San Diego County: Miramar, Murray, Lower Otay and San Vicente reservoirs as well as Chollas Lake. The fish included largemouth bass and bluegill. Hechinger and his team found that 93% of all the fish in the study were infected with the H. pumilio parasite, with some individual fish harboring thousands of the parasites. The second parasite, C. formosanus, was found at two of the five locations, where it occurred in 91% of the fish. The parasites are each found on different parts of the fish. H. pumilio is found at the base of the fins and C. formosanus is found on the gills. But the parasites can infect the muscles and connective tissue of the fish, Hechinger said, which is how a person eating it can get sick despite cutting off the head and fins. 'The other thing we have to remember,' he said, 'is the possibility of contamination on the food preparation surfaces and utensils.' The risk is real, but the precautions you can take against illness are straightforward. Thorough cooking of any freshwater fish that could potentially be infected can prevent illness, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If you choose to eat the fish raw, the agency advises you eat freshwater fish that has been previously frozen. Freezing will kill parasites that may be present. However, the FDA said freezing doesn't kill all harmful germs, so the safest route is to thoroughly cook your seafood. As part of this study, researchers conducted a survey of 125 YouTube videos with a total of 5 million views and found that 65% of these videos did not mention proper cooking or freezing of caught fish. The lack of proper food preparation not only promotes the transmission of parasites but can also increase the odds of infection, Hechinger said.
