By James Bryce

A PARASITE that can cause cirrhosis and anemia has infected 400 people in Spain.

Unknown in Europe until recently, the fasciolasis infection is transmitted by eating wild vegetation infected by the parasite.

Previously only thought to affect lifestock, cases of human fasciolasis have rocketed from 2,500 in 1990 to 17 million today, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The parasite is a huge problem in poorer countries such as Bolivia, where 72 per cent of the population suffer infection.

However, according to the Valencia-based WHO centre devoted to tackling the disease, climate change has led to an increase in cases in the developed world.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. ***** W.A.R.N.I.N.G*********
    TO
    SPAIN
    ****************************

    Future World condemns Spains unethical treatment of bulls and other animals for the purposes of sport. The barbaric sport subjects the innocent animal to hours of fear and senseless violence during which the animal is tortured and finally killed inhumanely. It’s hard to fathom how a civilized 1st world nation accepts the cruel treatment of animals.

    We encourage the citizens of Spain to actively campaign the banning of all blood sport through available channels. History and traditional practices shouldn’t legitimatize the unethical treatment of animals.

  2. Cruelty to animals is something that no civilised nation should tolerate. The illegal dog-fighting that is now prevalent in the UK and increasing levels of cruelty to dogs and other animals that is reported in the UK by the RSPCA, deserve condemnation and should be so condemned by any Brit before criticising another people’s treatment of animals. No one people treat animals well and we all need to struggle to ensure that animals are protected by laws and, more importantly, are protected by social and cultural attitudes against cruelty and exploitation of animals. All cruelty should be exposed and condemned, and it is best if when criticising another peoples treatment of animals we also make it plain we condemn the crulty of our own people.

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