The CDC Just Made A Gross Discovery About Pacific Salmon

Flickr | Chris Gladis

Sorry to interrupt dinner, but you’re probably going to want to choose the steak over the salmon.

A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s monthly journal Emerging Infectious Diseases found that wild Alaskan salmon has been infected by a gross parasite known as Japanese broad tapeworm. The scientific term for the parasite is Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense.

CNN reports that the the worm was commonly perceived to infect fish in Asia. But, it’s also been found in wild-caught salmon in Alaska. Even if you live on the East Coast, there’s reason for concern. Here’s why: The researchers say salmon caught along the entire Pacific coast could be infected with the tapeworm. When the fish is transported around the country, it’s done so on ice, but isn’t actually frozen, which would kill the tapeworms.

To get specific, the CDC study identified four species of Pacific salmon that were infected with the Japanese tapeworms. They are: Chum salmon, masu salmon, sockeye salmon and pink salmon.

While the health effects aren’t too serious, they aren’t anything you’d welcome. (Ugh, diarrhea and stomach pains… no thanks!). Plus, even if you don’t have symptoms—and many people don’t—finding out you’ve got tapeworm? Ick! We’re about to get a little graphic here, but it needs to be said: You’ll know if you have tapeworm, Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine told CNN. That’s because you’ll see bits of tapeworm floating in the toilet water.

The larvae can be killed if the fish is thoroughly cooked. You’ll want to make sure it’s cooked at 145° Fahrenheit for at least four or five minutes, according to the CNN report. (But still, we get it if you’ve lost your appetite). Maybe hold off on those salmon sushi rolls?

[h/t: Good Housekeeping]

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About the Author
Brittany Anas
Hi, I'm Brittany Anas (pronounced like the spice, anise ... see, that wasn't too embarrassing to say, now was it?) My professional writing career started when I was in elementary school and my grandma paid me $1 for each story I wrote for her. I'm a former newspaper reporter, with more than a decade of experience Hula-hooping at planning meetings and covering just about every beat from higher-education to crime to science for the Boulder Daily Camera and The Denver Post. Now, I'm a freelance writer, specializing in travel, health, food and adventure.

I've contributed to publications including Men's Journal, Forbes, Women's Health, American Way, TripSavvy, Eat This, Not That!, Apartment Therapy, Denver Life Magazine, 5280, Livability, The Denver Post, Simplemost, USA Today Travel Tips, Make it Better, AAA publications, Reader's Digest, Discover Life and more.

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