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.
