On 4/8, the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases reported three cases of parasitic meningitis: a 51-year-old man, a 46-year-old woman, and an 80-year-old man. All three presented with headaches, nausea, tinnitus, numbness in their hands, frequent hiccups, and prolonged vomiting.

The 51-year-old man, who frequently consumes raw fish, had been treated for roundworm infection a month prior, but his symptoms persisted.

Following specialized examinations and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, doctors discovered an abnormally high eosinophil count, making up 20% of the total cell count, a hallmark of parasitic infection. Subsequent tests confirmed the presence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) and Toxocara canis (dog roundworm). The other two patients received similar diagnoses.

Consuming raw fish, or undercooked food in general, carries the risk of parasitic infection. Illustration: Huynh Nhi

All three patients responded well to antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory medication. They are now alert and preparing for discharge. Dr. Le Van Thieu from the Department of Infectious Diseases warned that without prompt diagnosis and treatment, patients risk severe complications such as seizures, epilepsy, neurological damage, and even death.

Rat lungworm and dog roundworm can be transmitted to humans through the digestive tract, often found in soil, sand, or contaminated food. The infection often progresses silently, making it difficult to detect and easily mistaken for other conditions.

To prevent infection, Dr. Thieu advises the public to cook food thoroughly and avoid raw or undercooked dishes like raw fish or aquatic vegetables. He also emphasizes the importance of personal hygiene, including handwashing with soap, regular bathing, deworming pets, and deworming oneself every 6 months.

Thuy Quynh