The present study indicates that
Australian consumers of sushi and
sashimi are exposed on at least 25
million occasions annually to fish,
which may contain anisakid worms
or cysts at high prevalence and
concentration. Despite this, there
has been only one recorded case of
anisakidosis in Australia.
Is the apparent lack of anisakidoses
due to elimination of the hazard during
processing and preparation? Or are
there other factors in play, such as:
underreporting and/or misdiagnosis
because most infections are not severe,
or the fact that there is no skin prick test
for A. simplex available in Australia
for allergic reactions, which results in
confusion with fish allergies in general?
It is tempting to favour the former
conclusion given the level of exposure
via sushi and sashimi over a number
of years, coupled with the fact that the
only case to date involved whole fish
consumed raw in a home setting. from khet