Food-borne parasitic zoonoses in the People's Republic of China.

The People's Republic of China has a large number of animal parasites transmitted through the ingestion of food products. Approximately 20 species of parasites in animals and man are reported from most of the provinces and autonomous regions of the country. The major food-borne parasitic zoonoses are reported from pigs, cattle, fish, crabs and crayfish, snails, frogs, snakes, and aquatic plants. The most important diseases are toxoplasmosis, taeniasis, cysticercosis, sparganosis, clonorchiasis, fascioliasis, fasciolopsiasis, paragonomiasis, echinostomiasis, trichinosis, gnathostomiasis, and angiostrongyliasis. There is concern that some of these parasitoses may develop into more serious problems because of the increase in free-market commerce and the lack of adequate inspection of food products. Furthermore, many cultures in China enjoy eating raw or inadequately cooked food products. Control programs have been initiated utilizing newer drugs, but there must also be educational programs, as well as an improvement in sanitation.