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Beijing
reports 44 new meningitis cases blamed on eating raw snails,
raising total to 131 The Star, 4 Sept 2006 |
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BEIJING (AP) - The number of people who are ill with meningitis after eating undercooked snails in Beijing has risen by 44 to 131, with 25 in serious condition, a news report said Sunday. Two of those infected are under age 13, the Xinhua News Agency said, citing the Chinese capital's Health Bureau. The meningitis cases reportedly have occurred since late June and are blamed on undercooked giant Amazonian snails served to Beijing restaurant diners. Health officials say they carried the parasite angiostrongylus cantonensis, which can cause meningitis. |
Meningitis symptoms, including severe headaches and nausea, can take a month or longer to appear. The government hasn't said how many restaurants were involved. Hundreds reportedly have been inspected for snails, and the government has warned the public not to eat raw seafood. "In future, Beijing will ban the sale of such fresh snails that can be eaten directly without cooking,'' the city health director, Jin Dapeng, was quoted as saying by Xinhua. - AP |
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