Anisakiasis is a disease that includes infections by all ascaroid nematodes having larval stages in aquatic hosts. The main nematodes known to have caused disease in humans are Anisakis simplex and Pseudoterranova decipiens.

The larvae that hatch may infect a small crustacean that may in turn be ingested by a fish. When an infected fish is consumed by another fish, the larvae may infect the new fish host. Marine mammals or humans may become infected from eating the infected intermediate host.

In humans, these nematodes do not normally mature, but the worms can migrate from the gastrointestinal tract, becoming embedded in the gastrointestinal mucosa and causing tissue reaction and discomfort (that is, gastric pain, diarrhea, vomiting). People who are sensitized to nematodes can have severe allergic reactions after eating fish which have been infected with Anisakis spp .

In order to follow the recommendations on food safety, the campaign Eat fish safely: The prevention of Anisakiasis to inform of the potential danger and to reduce the risk of parasite transmission to humans.

The campaign is framed around one of the major lines of action of the Department of Health, which every year since 2000, has implemented the Surveillance and Monitoring Programme on the Degree of Infestation by Anisakidae in Fish from the Catalan Coast carried out by official veterinary surgeons who are in charge of fish markets. The general aims of this Programme are to get to know the degree of parasitism of species seized in the Catalan coast and adopt the necessary decisions to guarantee fishery products safety.

The material provided by this Campaign includes a leaflet and a poster, where some of the basic aspects to prevent Anisakiasis are described.

The leaflet is structured in the following sections: Anisakis: what are they?, How do they affect us?, What controls are being used to prevent the presence of these parasites?, How can we prevent Anisakiasis? This leaflet will be distributed to primary health centres in Catalonia, and among people responsible for the sale of fish, canteens, bars, restaurants, etc.

The poster presents three essential recommendations to prevent Anisakiasis: Wash the fish thoroughly and remove innards as soon as possible, Freeze fish to be consumed raw, and Cook thoroughly. It has primarily been designed to be hung in fishmongers’.

Among other ways of distribution, this information material will be delivered by the Department of Health's technicians in their inspection visits to shops that market fishery products, canteens, bars, restaurants, etc. Town Halls in Catalonia, and fishermen’s and restoration associations, among other institution and entities, will also be given posters and leaflets so that they help them to distribute them to all the centres targeted by the Campaign.

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Eating fish safely: The prevention of Anisakiasis