Current status of food-borne parasitic zoonoses in India

Food-borne parasitic zoonoses have a major impact on the health and economy in developing countries in the tropics and sub-tropics. Complex socio-economic and socio-cultural factors impact on the maintenance of parasitic zoonoses. In addition to human disease, some of these parasites are responsible for economic loss to livestock production. Throughout India, problems of food-borne parasitic zoonoses differ because of varied food habits. Other factors, however, such as unhygienic living conditions, lack of education, poor personal hygiene, poverty and occupation, also contribute to the dissemination of parasitic infections. The present status of various food-borne parasitic zoonoses are briefly given here.