Foodborne trematode infections, or foodborne trematodiases, are a group of parasitic infections caused by trematodes (flatworms or “flukes”) that are acquired through ingestion of food contaminated with the larval stages of the parasite.
Transmission is linked to human behaviour patterns related to methods of producing, processing and preparing foods. In particular, dishes containing raw fish, crustaceans and plants are an established dietary tradition of many populations living in countries where these diseases are endemic. Foodborne trematodiases are thus sustained and perpetuated by entrenched cultural practices.
fact buffet
Burden
5656 million people infected in over 70 countries
First WHO report on NTDsPart 2, Chapter 5.13, page 113
Donated medicines
2.1Over 2.1 million triclabendazole tablets donated for fascioliasis and paragonimiasis through WHO since 2007
ParagonimiasisThe disease-specific facts
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Clonorchiasis
12.5 million individuals are estimated to be infected in China alone
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Fascioliasis
In 1998, Egypt established the first human fascioliasis control programme
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Opisthorchiasis
Over 325,000 individuals treated for opisthorchiasis in Lao PDR in 2011
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Paragonimiasis
Two medicines – triclabendazole and praziquantel – provide effective treatment for paragonimiasis
FBT in the news
08 August 2012 | Geneva
Foodborne trematode infections. Factsheet N°368. August 2012
Read Factsheet
23 March 2012 | Geneva
Global burden of human foodborne trematodiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Volume 12, Issue 3, March 2012, Pages 210–221
Full article