Fascioliasis

• Acute/Migratory phase: Fever, abdominal pain (especially right upper quadrant), hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), rash, eosinophilia (elevated white blood cell count).
• Chronic/Biliary phase: Intermittent abdominal pain, indigestion, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), cholangitis (bile duct inflammation), and sometimes gallstones.

Humans contract Fascioliasis by ingesting metacercariae, the infective larval stage, which are typically found encysted on raw or undercooked aquatic plants (like watercress) or in contaminated water. After ingestion, metacercariae excyst in the intestine, penetrate the gut wall, and migrate through the peritoneal cavity to the liver, eventually settling in the bile ducts where they mature. Freshwater snails serve as the intermediate hosts in the parasite's life cycle.

• Avoid consuming raw or undercooked aquatic plants (e.g., watercress, water lettuce) from endemic areas.
• Wash all vegetables thoroughly, especially those grown in or near water.
• Boil or adequately treat water from potentially contaminated sources before drinking.
• Control snail populations (intermediate hosts) in endemic regions.
• Implement proper disposal of human and animal feces to prevent environmental contamination.