For Immediate Release
August 24, 2006

Contact: Howard Sutter
 (714) 834-2178

Continuing Investigation of Lung Fluke Infections Identifies Additional Cases

(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 four laboratory confirmed cases.

“After the reporting of the initial two cases, through interviews with those who may have eaten raw or live freshwater crabs, we identified two additional cases of this rare infection,” said Hildy Meyers, M.D., Epidemiology & Assessment Medical Director. “We have contacted all of the restaurants in Orange County known to have received imported freshwater crabs and have verified that they are no longer being served raw. So far, reports of the crabs being eaten live or raw in the past have been limited to two places, Riptide Sushi and Teppan Grill in Mission Viejo and Chomp Sushi and Teppan Grill in Fullerton. Because it is possible that the crabs were also served raw or undercooked at other restaurants, it is important that anyone who has eaten a raw or undercooked freshwater crab be aware that they might have been exposed to the parasite that can cause lung fluke infection.”

The California Department of Health Services has determined that the sawagani crabs, also known as regal or Japanese river crabs, were distributed to restaurants in at least 16 California counties. 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 more than 2 inches in size.

Lung fluke infection is not transmitted from person to person. Symptoms of lung fluke infection may not begin for 6 to 10 weeks after eating raw or undercooked freshwater crab and may include cough, difficulty breathing, 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 contact their physician,” stated Eric G. Handler, M.D., County Health Officer. “We strongly recommend that freshwater crabs be completely cooked before they are eaten.”

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