are eels parasitic
In Southeast Asia, swamp eels are a common source of human gnathostomiasis, a foodborne zoonosis caused by parasitic Gnathostoma larvae. If the infected eels are eaten undercooked or raw, the parasite can cause mild to serious consequences in humans, including blindness, paralysis or even death.
The team is concerned that eels released into the wild could be introducing the parasites to native species. They examined 47 eels from markets and found that 13 were infected in the liver, muscle, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Three of the 67 wild-caught eels were infected with the parasite. Most organs are disposed of when an eel is butchered, but the risk of human infection persists if the muscle is infected.