Crabs Sicken 2 More in O.C.
Health officials Thursday again warned consumers against eating raw or undercooked freshwater crabs as two Orange County restaurants were found to have served raw or live crabs and two more diners came down with a rare lung fluke infection.
Riptide Rockin’ Sushi & Teppan Grill in Mission Viejo and Chomp Rockin’ Sushi & Teppan Grill in Fullerton were identified after the Health Care Agency contacted all the restaurants in Orange County serving the crab to advise them that the crabs must be fully cooked.
Two other cases of the disease, contracted from a parasite found in the crab, had been discovered last week.
“We have the only known human infections in the state,” said Howard Sutter, a spokesman for the agency.
The sawagani crabs -- also known as regal or river crabs and eaten whole either live, raw or fried -- are imported from Japan and distributed to restaurants in 16 California counties, Sutter said.
He declined to disclose details regarding the victims or to say where they had eaten.
The symptoms of lung fluke infection include coughing, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, abdominal pain, fever and hives. They may not begin, however, for six to 10 weeks.
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