Worm Dieters

09 February 2010

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Chinese dieters have been warned by government doctors not to swallow parasite worms.

Slimmers in Hong Kong have been inundated with online adverts for weight loss products which use the eggs of Ascaris - giant intestinal worms which grow to 15in in length in a host's intestine and lay up to 200,000 more eggs a day - but the city's department for health claim they are potentially fatal.

The worms may require surgical removal if there are obstructions

A spokesman for Hong Kong's health department said: "Parasite infestation may also be fatal if serious complications such as intestinal, biliary tract or pancreatic duct obstruction arise. The worms may even invade such organs as the lungs. The worms may require surgical removal if there are obstructions."

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