NPR

Man Pulls 5 1/2-Foot-Long Tapeworm Out Of His Body, Blames Sushi Habit

A recent podcast episode shared, in grisly detail, the story of a California man who discovered a parasitic worm wriggling out of him. He and his doctor suspect raw salmon was the culprit.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a 2017 report that found wild-caught salmon caught off the coast of Alaska may contain a Japanese tapeworm, rarely seen in the U.S.

Put away the soy sauce and wasabi and get ready to be grossed out.

A Fresno man and avid lover of sushi — more specifically, salmon sashimi — pulled a 5 1/2 foot-long tapeworm out his own body. It had been growing inside of him for some time.

Doctor Kenny Banh recounted the gruesome story as a guest on a recent episode of," a medical podcast that dissects odd or unusual health cases with experts.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min readCrime & Violence
Justice Department Pays $138 Million Over FBI Failures In Larry Nassar Case
The DOJ settlement goes to 139 victims of Larry Nassar, the disgraced team doctor of USA Gymnastics who sexually assaulted elite and Olympic gymnasts, after the FBI failed to promptly investigate.
NPR3 min read
Tesla Profits Have Plummeted. Elon Musk Remains All-in On Robotaxis
Tesla's sales are down. It's slashing car prices and laying off staff. Yet CEO Elon Musk remains bullish on a future that's self-driving and battery-powered.
NPR5 min read
United Methodists Will Again Debate LGBTQ Clergy And Same-sex Weddings
The United Methodist Church is holding its first General Conference since the pandemic and will consider whether to change policies on several LGBTQ issues.

Related Books & Audiobooks