How can uncooked aquatic plants spread intestinal flukes?

Uncooked aquatic plants can spread intestinal flukes, such as the parasitic trematode Fasciolopsis buski, through the ingestion of metacercariae.1

In the life cycle of these flukes, larvae that have exited an intermediate host—typically a mollusk such as a snail—can encyst on the surfaces of aquatic plants. When humans or swine consume these plants raw, they ingest the encysted larvae. Once inside the host, the metacercariae emerge from their cysts and anchor themselves to the tissues of the small intestine using ventral suckers, where they eventually develop into adult worms.12

To prevent this infection, it is essential to practice food safety by ensuring that aquatic plants are thoroughly cooked before consumption. A simple and effective method to eliminate the risk of infection is to immerse these foods in boiling water.1