Woman who never ate raw seafood or meat passes 3-meter long parasite

A woman in Shenzhen recently passed a terrifying 3-meter-long parasite resembling "noodles" while using the toilet. Doctors pointed out that although the woman did not have the habit of eating raw food, one mistake in her kitchen routine led to her parasite infection.

Woman Who Never Eats Raw Fish or Meat Passes 3-Meter-Long Parasite

According to a report by Guangdong Public Channel, Ms. Zhang, a 32-year-old woman from Shenzhen, recently passed a 3-meter-long "strip-like object" during a bowel movement. Upon closer inspection, she was horrified to discover it was a parasite. She immediately took a video with her phone and sought medical attention at the Shenzhen Longhua District People's Hospital. Test results showed she was infected with Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm).

However, Zhang never ate raw foods like sashimi or raw meat. After questioning by the doctor, it was found that the likely cause of her infection was related to one habit in the kitchen. It turns out Zhang's household had long been using the same chopping board to cut raw meat, handle vegetables, and prepare cold dishes, without strictly separating raw and cooked foods. The chopping board was also never thoroughly disinfected.

Dr. Xie Liu, director of the Infectious Diseases Department at the hospital, stated that parasite infections due to "not separating raw and cooked foods on chopping boards" happen from time to time. Daily rinsing of chopping boards with running water or even hot water cannot completely kill parasite eggs. Besides chopping boards, daily-use knives and utensils should also be thoroughly disinfected. Avoid eating raw foods, cook food thoroughly, and pay attention to hand hygiene—these habits are effective in preventing foodborne parasite infections.

What are the Symptoms of a Parasite Infection?

Taenia saginata is a type of tapeworm. Alongside roundworms, pinworms, hookworms, and Clonorchis sinensis (Chinese liver fluke), they are common intestinal parasites that can affect humans. According to information from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection, tapeworms are flat, can grow over 6 meters long, have segmented bodies, and are white or pale yellow. People can become infected with the adult worm by eating undercooked pork, beef, or fish contaminated with cysticerci (larval cysts). If they invade the brain, muscles, or other tissues, they can cause very serious infections.

The Centre for Health Protection notes that infection with a small number of parasites may be asymptomatic. However, if infected with tapeworms, segments of the tapeworm may be passed in stool. Other possible symptoms of parasite infection include abdominal discomfort, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. In cases of a large parasitic load, more serious complications can occur, such as intestinal obstruction, anemia, bile duct blockage, and inflammation. Infection with the larvae of Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), causing human cysticercosis, can even lead to seizures and damage to muscles or eyes.

How to Prevent Parasite Infections?

The Centre recommends the following to prevent parasite infections:

• Maintain good personal and food hygiene.
• Trim fingernails regularly.
• Keep hands clean before handling food or eating. Wash hands with liquid soap and water, as alcohol-based hand rub cannot effectively kill intestinal parasites.
• Wash and cook food thoroughly.
• Avoid eating raw meat or undercooked meat as much as possible.
• Keep utensils clean and separate utensils used for handling raw and cooked foods.