Freshwater Crabs Sicken Two in O.C.; Warning Is Issued

After two Orange County residents came down with a rare lung infection, public health officials are warning Californians against eating raw or undercooked freshwater sawagani crabs.

The imported crabs have been distributed to restaurants in at least 16 California counties, health officials said.

“Since these crabs have been distributed to many restaurants across California, it is important that anyone who has eaten a raw or undercooked freshwater crab be aware that they might have been exposed to the parasite that causes lung fluke infection,” said Dr. Eric G. Handler, Orange County’s health officer.

The small crabs, also called regal crabs, are consumed whole, either live, raw or fried.

Symptoms of lung fluke infection, which include a cough, breathing difficulties, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and hives, may not begin for six to 10 weeks after consumption, officials said.

Left untreated, the illness can migrate to other organs. Officials urged people who have eaten the crabs and developed any of the symptoms, however mild, to contact their physicians.