Seafood-borne parasitic diseases in Australia: how much do we know about them?

Abstract

Fish are host to many parasites, some of which can cause disease in humans. With the increase in cultural and culinary diversity and the increased popularity of eating raw or slightly cooked seafood dishes in Australia it is speculated that seafood-borne parasitic infections in Australian consumers may rise. Seafood-borne zoonotic parasites are recognised as a significant public health concern worldwide. In Australia there are few reports of infection in humans in the medical literature. Australian Government enforcement agencies rate the risk of seafood-borne zoonosis as low; however, the prevalence of seafood-borne zoonoses may be under-reported in Australia due to misdiagnosis. Although food safety regulations and import controls for seafood in Australia are strict, the focus is more on the control of food-borne bacterial, viral and chemical contaminant related illnesses rather than parasitic diseases.