The eggs passed in the stool of infected people (and animals) need to develop (mature) in certain types of freshwater snails, under favorable environmental conditions, to be able to infect someone else. Fasciola cannot be passed directly from one person to another. People also can get infected by ingesting contaminated water, such as by drinking it or by eating vegetables that were washed or irrigated with contaminated water.Ĭan Fasciola be spread directly from one person (or animal) to another? The main way this happens is by eating raw watercress or other contaminated freshwater plants.

People get infected by accidentally ingesting (swallowing) the parasite. How do people get infected with Fasciola? Except for parts of Western Europe, human fascioliasis has mainly been documented in developing countries.

Fasciola gigantica has been found in some tropical areas. Fasciola hepatica is found in all continents except Antarctica. In what parts of the world is fascioliasis found?įascioliasis is found in more than 50 countries, especially where sheep or cattle are reared. The main species is Fasciola hepatica, which is also known as “the common liver fluke” and “the sheep liver fluke.” A related species, Fasciola gigantica, also can infect people. Two Fasciola species (types) infect people. In general, fascioliasis is more common in livestock and other animals than in people. The adult (mature) flukes are found in the bile ducts and liver of infected people and animals, such as sheep and cattle.

Fascioliasis is an infectious disease caused by Fasciola parasites, which are flat worms referred to as liver flukes.

Flat worm and snail