Monsters in our food: Foodborne trematodiasis in the Philippines and beyond

Foodborne trematodiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by zoonotic trematodes that persist mainly in impoverished areas the Asia-Pacific region. Globally, about 2 million disability life years (DALYs) are lost due to these parasitic infections. Four groups of foodborne known cause significant illness: fish-borne liver fluke infections Opisthorchis and Clonorchis spp.; water vegetable-borne Fasciola spp. infections; crustacean-vectored paragonimiasis; those intestinal trematodes. In Philippines, endemic public health concern include Paragonimus westermani, some members Heterophyidae Echinostomatidae, hepatica/ F. gigantica. viverrini sinensis have also been reported country. Data on epidemiology illnesses remain scarce need research attention Philippines. Culturally rooted eating behaviors important risk factors acquiring perpetuating trematodiasis. The combination mass drug administration (MDA), provision clean maintenance good sanitation hygiene (WASH), community education towards modification risky behaviors, surveillance, veterinary interventions shown be effective combatting parasitoses. An integrated control prevention program anchored One Health paradigm must address illnesses. This paper aims review biology of, against Philippines its neighboring countries.