Freshwater crabs in Mindanao have been found to carry DNA of the lung-fluke parasite Paragonimus westermani, which can cause illness if crabs are eaten raw or undercooked, scientists reported. Researchers from the Philippine Genome Center detected the parasite in crab samples collected in Davao Oriental, and their study suggests that Isolapotamon species, a genus of crabs native to Mindanao, may be a previously unrecognized intermediate host for the parasite. The parasite can cause paragonimiasis, a lung disease that develops when people eat raw or undercooked freshwater crabs or crayfish carrying the parasite’s larvae. Infection can trigger chronic cough, chest pain, fever, and fatigue, and health experts say these symptoms are often mistaken for tuberculosis, which can delay proper diagnosis and treatment. To prevent infection, health authorities advise thoroughly cooking freshwater seafood, such as by boiling or steaming. The findings highlight health risks from consuming undercooked crabs and support community awareness, food safety, and disease prevention.
