Scientists at the University of Tartu conducted an analysis of strawberries grown in Estonia. The result is alarming: eggs of a deadly tapeworm harmful to human health were found in every sixth sample. The situation in Latvia is almost the same.
There is an Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences at the University of Tartu. It was invited to participate in a pan-European scientific project aimed at testing a number of food products for dangerous parasites harmful to humans, writes the portal grani.lv.
Estonian scientists were tasked with researching garden strawberries — the most popular berry in our region, whose season has just begun. They are abundant in markets — and it was to these markets that the researchers went to buy 30 packs of strawberries weighing 200 grams each from various bazaars in Estonia.
In the university laboratory, samples were taken from the berries, which were then sent to France for final analysis. The tests showed that in every sixth sample sent (16.7%), eggs of the alveococcus (Echinococcus multilocularis) — a highly dangerous tapeworm for humans — were found.
This, by the way, is the highest rate among European countries. Latvia follows with 13.3% of infected samples and the Netherlands with 12.5%. Thus, when you buy Latvian, Estonian, or Dutch strawberries at the market, keep these figures in mind.
What is dangerous about the tapeworm? Once it enters the human body, this parasite settles in the liver area, causing immense damage. The problem is that this is not detected immediately, often only when it is too late to do anything and organ transplantation is required. The disease is called alveolar echinococcosis, and the number of people suffering from it has recently increased — especially in Latvia and Lithuania. By the way, Lithuania and Switzerland are considered countries with the highest prevalence of this disease in Europe.
However, no one is calling for everyone to completely give up strawberries. What is important is to strictly follow hygiene rules.
Rule number 1: never try unwashed berries — from the garden or at the market. Sellers often suggest that customers try the strawberries themselves to see if they are sweet. This is absolutely not allowed; the berries are contaminated with dirt, dust, microbiological pollutants from the hands of harvesters, as well as any possible parasites.
Rule number 2: berries must be washed with special care. Not just rinsed, but thoroughly washed under running water, constantly shaking and ensuring that every berry is washed.
Rule number 3: do not rely on freezing. The usual freezing temperature of -20°C does not kill the parasite's eggs. To achieve this, the berries would need to be kept for at least a week at temperatures below -70°C, which is simply impossible at home.
Rule number 4: always wash your hands after contact with cats and dogs. They are often intermediate hosts for the parasite or can pick up eggs on their fur when interacting with other animals during walks and transfer them to humans when petted.
Rule number 5: all the measures mentioned above should apply to all berries, fruits, and vegetables that you do not plan to cook. In other words, everything should be washed, but if you do not plan to boil, fry, or bake any natural gifts, then they should be washed with special care. Remember the scandal with regular leaf lettuce (already packaged), which in 2011 caused the deaths of three people and severe illness in 600 people in Germany.
