Routes of Infection for Gnathostomiasis

 

Common regions with infection: Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia and Latin America

 

Contaminated water (which contains copepods infected with larvae):

(1) swimming

(2) drinking untreated water

 

Contaminated food (which contains maturing larvae) that is uncooked or poorly cooked:

(1) fish (sushi, sashimi, ceviche)

(2) frogs

(3) snakes

(4) pork or chickens fed uncooked fish

(5) cat or dog who have eaten any of the above

(6) ducks

 

Other routes:

(1) transplacental

(2) possibly transcutaneous while handling heavily infected meat