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Huge 2.8 metre tapeworm removed from man who showed no symptoms

Doctors have had to removed a giant tapeworm from a man in Singapore after it's suspected he ate undercooked fish.

The massive worm had to be folded 18 times so medical staff at Singapore General Hospital could take a picture of it.

Even though he had a 2.8m tapeworm inside him, the man showed no symptoms of the parasite.

“The patient was somewhat appalled when the worm was passed out via the rectum,” said infectious diseases expert Hsu Li Yang.

The worm had to be folded 18 times to be photographed by medical staff. Source: Asia Wire
The worm had to be folded 18 times to be photographed by medical staff. Source: Asia Wire

The hospital publicised the 2016 case to warn people how they can be infected with parasites after eating raw or undercooked seafood.

Professor Hsu said no other human parasite could grow so long.

“The question is what tapeworm, which will also help answer how the patient had acquired the worm,” he added.

Tapeworms are usually found in humans after they have eaten undercooked pork, beef or fish.

Microbiology experts examined an egg obtained from the tapeworm and say it most closely resembled those of fish tapeworms.

It's thought the man may have eaten undercooked fish. Source: File/Getty
It's thought the man may have eaten undercooked fish. Source: File/Getty

Prof Hsu said cases of fish tapeworms are on the rise in Singapore, where sushi is becoming more popular.

He said those who are infected may not show any symptoms.

However, others will suffer from nausea, weakness, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.