Diphyllobothrium latum (Broad fish tapeworm)

Diphyllobothrium latum, (Broad fish tapeworm) is one of the largest tapeworms (up to 9 meters) that infects the human intestine through ingestion of insufficiently cooked (or raw) fish and fish roe. In Northern Europe fish pinworms are relatively common in freshwater and brackish water fish such as wild salmon, tench, perch and pike. In some cases, the parasite has also been found in char and trout. This tapeworm can also spread to the liver and gallbladder once it has infected a human.

Symptoms that can occur are abdominal pain, constipation, decreased or increased appetite and anemia as a result of the hookworm absorbing vitamin B12 from the body.

Avoid this infection by not eating raw fish and by freezing the fish before cooking.