Eight Californians seriously ill after eating live shellfish
{{date|September 9, 2006}}

Eight Californians contracted a rare lung infection after eating live [[w:sawagani crab|sawagani crab]]s at several southern [[w:California|California]] restaurants. 

The freshwater crabs, also known as river or regal crabs, were purchased in several restaurants, including Riptide Rockin' Sushi & Teppan Grill in Mission Viejo and Chomp Rockin' Sushi & Teppan Grill in Fullerton. The crabs were infected with a parasite called [[w:paragonimus|paragonimus]], a [[w:flatworm|flatworm]] similar to [[w:lung fluke|lung fluke]]. 

The parasite travels to the lungs six to ten weeks after ingestion. Symptoms include coughing, diarrhea, breathing problems, chest pain, abdominal pain, fever, and hives. The worm can spread to other organs, including the brain. 

According to [[w:Wikipedia|Wikipedia]], about 5,000 Americans die of [[w:foodborne illness|foodborne illness]] every year. 

== Sources ==

*{{source
|url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/8650.html
|title=8 California diners suffer lung infection after eating raw crabs
|author=Pat Fryer
|pub=Earth Times
|date=September 9, 2006}}

*{{source
|url=http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1270289.php
|title=Crab parasite sickens 4 more
|author=Courtney Perkes
|pub=OC Register
|date=September 9, 2006}}

*{{source
|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/08/AR2006090801912.html
|title=Diners Eat Raw Crabs on Dare, Get Sick
|author=AP
|pub=Washington Post
|date=September 8, 2006}}

{{publish}}
{{Archive-unreviewed}}

[[Category:Health]]
[[Category:Food]]
[[Category:California]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North America]]
Eight Californians contracted a rare lung infection after eating live sawagani crabs at several southern California restaurants. 

The freshwater crabs, also known as river or regal crabs, were purchased in several restaurants, including Riptide Rockin' Sushi & Teppan Grill in Mission Viejo and Chomp Rockin' Sushi & Teppan Grill in Fullerton. The crabs were infected with a parasite called paragonimus, a flatworm similar to lung fluke. 

The parasite travels to the lungs six to ten weeks after ingestion. Symptoms include coughing, diarrhea, breathing problems, chest pain, abdominal pain, fever, and hives. The worm can spread to other organs, including the brain. 

According to Wikipedia, about 5,000 Americans die of foodborne illness every year. 

*

*
Health Food California United States North America