Unclean veggies result in worms

A doctor has warned that having fresh but unclean vegetables may lead to a parasitic infection after two roundworms (Ascariasis) were found in a woman who was 32 weeks pregnant.

Dr Jirachart Ruangwatcharin, chief of the Provincial Public Health Office, said yesterday that the patient from Myanmar, identified as Mocha visited Don Sak Hospital with stomach pain and nausea. She suspected she was going into labour early.

She vomited repeatedly while being admitted, and the doctor found two roundworms, one measuring 10 centimetres and the other 15cm, in her vomit, Dr Jirachart said.

The doctor said the woman liked eating raw vegetables with cooked food. Dr Jirasak said it is possible the patient swallowed the parasitic eggs while eating vegetables that had not been thoroughly cleaned.

Governor Witchawut Jinto told the public not to panic and suggested people either soak the vegetables for at least 10 minutes and then run them under the tap for at least two minutes or soak them in water with baking soda for 10–15 minutes before eating them.