Diners who fell ill downed live crabs [View All]

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Diners who fell ill downed live crabs

SANTA ANA – All eight diners who came down with a rare lung infection after eating raw shellfish consumed live sawagani crabs on a dare, health officials said yesteray.

Health investigators said the crabs, which are usually served fried, were eaten raw at various restaurants, including Riptide Rockin' Sushi & Teppan Grill in Mission Viejo and Chomp Rockin' Sushi & Teppan Grill in Fullerton.

Both restaurants are owned by Dan Lauriano, who said some diners apparently started a “Fear Factor”-style tradition where they would reach into a jar of live crabs and devour them raw as their friends cheered.

Six to 10 weeks after they downed the crabs, participants ended up with a parasite carried by the crab that migrates from the intestines to the lungs and causes lung fluke infection.

Associated Press

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