Abstract:

Objective To investigate the statuses of foodborne parasites infection in freshwater products and raw meat in Yunnan Province for evidence in formulating prevention and control strategies for foodborne parasitic diseases. Methods From 2017 to 2022, the surveillance of food-borne parasitic infections in commercially available freshwater products was carried out in 16 prefectures (cities) of Yunnan Province. The freshwater fish detection project was the metacercaria of Metorchis orientali, the stage Ⅲ larvae of Gnathostoma, Clonorchis sinensis, the freshwater snail detection project was the stage Ⅲ larvae of Angiostrongylodes cantonensis, and the freshwater crab and freshwater shrimp detection project was the metacercaria of Paragonimus. The samples were collected from intermediate links, catering services and aquaculture. Digestion method was used for the detection. Results From 2017 to 2022, a total of 2 803 freshwater product samples were detected, in which parasites were detected in 158 (5.64%), yet no parasites were found in the 328 samples of 8 species of freshwater fish and 57 samples of 1 species of freshwater shrimp. The larvae were detected in 2 215 of 3 species of freshwater snails. The total detection rate of Angiostrongylus cantonensis stage Ⅲ was 5.82%. A total of 203 samples from 4 species of freshwater crab were detected, and the detection rate of Paragonimus cysticercus was 14.29%. The annual parasite detection rates of freshwater products in Yunnan Province from 2017 to 2022 were 7.69% (15/195), 8.85% (56/633), 6.01% (27/449), 2.95% (19/645), 2.78% (9/324) and 5.75% (32/557), respectively. Apart from Nujiang Prefecture, all the fresh water products sent for inspection were found to be infected with parasites. The parasite detection rates were 6.02% (144/2 394), 4.03% (11/273) and 2.21% (3/136) in circulation, catering and aquaculture, respectively. Conclusion Fresh water products were infected with parasites in some areas of Yunnan Province. The findings suggest that food hygiene supervision and education should be strengthened, and self-prevention awareness should be raised in mass to reduce the incidence of food-borne parasitic diseases.

Key words: Freshwater products, Food-borne parasites, Angiostrongylus guangzhouensis, Paragonimus, Yunnan Province