Schistosomiasis (Blood fluke)
Schistosomiasis haematobium (also known as bilharzia or blood fluke) is an infection caused by several parasitic worms belonging to the grouping of Schistosomes. Over 200 million people are estimated to be infected worldwide. This parasite occurs mainly in Africa, south of the Sahara desert, but also on the Caribbean islands, China and in northern South America.
OPISTHORCHIS VIVERRINI (ASIAN LIVER FLUKE)
Opisthorchis viverrini (also called Asian liver fluke) is a flatworm that can infect the liver, bladder and bileduct in humans. It occurs, as the name suggests, mainly in Asia but also in parts of Europe and is transmitted by eating raw or insufficiently cooked fish (e.g. sushi, smoked or grilled fish). Asian liver fluke often infects the liver and gallbladder and can over time give an increased risk of developing cancer in both organs.
Fasciola hepatica (Liver Fluke)
Fasciola hepatica (& Fasciola gigantica) the large liver fluke (3-7 cm long and about 1.5 cm wide) occur on all continents world wide including Europe but are more commonly found in Central- and South America, Asia and Africa. Infections occur mainly through the ingestion of contaminated plants infected through the use of fertilization or when we eat insufficiently cooked (raw) beef.
Fasciolopsis Buski (Giant intestinal fluke)
Fasciolopsis Buski – the intestinal fluke, is the largest fluke (7-10 cm long and 2-3 cm wide) found in humans. It infects mainly the small intestine of humans and occurs primarily in Asia. Contraction occur through ingestion of uncooked aquatic plants used in Asian cooking or insufficiently purified/contaminated water.