eng Science and Education Publishing American Journal of Medical and Biological Research 2328-4099 2026-06-02 14 1 15 21 10.12691/ajmbr-14-1-3 AJMBR20261413 article Mahendra Pal palmahendra2@gmail.com 1 Ravindra Zende 2 Tesfaye Rebuma 3 Aishwarya Nair 3 Oskar Nowak 4 Narayan Consultancy on Veterinary Public Health and Microbiology, Bharuch, Gujarat, India Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Mumbai Veterinary College, Parel, Mumbai, India Shaggar City administration Sebeta Sub city Agricultural office, Sebeta, Oromia, Ethiopia Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Pozna¨˝, ul. Uniwersytetu Pozna¨˝skiego 6, 61-614 Pozna¨˝ Anisakiasis, commonly referred to as herring worm disease, is an emerging and often under-recognized food-borne parasitic zoonosis caused by the accidental ingestion of third-stage larvae of anisakid nematodes, predominantly Anisakis simplex sensu lato and Anisakis pegreffii, along with species belonging to the genera Pseudoterranova and Contracaecum. Human infection primarily occurs through the consumption of raw, undercooked, or inadequately processed marine fish and seafood contaminated with infective larvae. Although anisakiasis has a global distribution, its epidemiological burden remains largely underestimated due to misdiagnosis, underreporting, and limited awareness, particularly in regions where culinary practices involving raw or minimally processed seafood are gaining popularity. Clinically, anisakiasis presents with a broad spectrum of manifestations ranging from acute gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, to chronic granulomatous inflammation and severe hypersensitivity reactions, including urticaria and life-threatening anaphylaxis. The pathogenesis involves both direct tissue invasion by larvae and host immune responses, complicating diagnosis and management. The intricate life cycle of anisakid nematodes, involving marine mammals as definitive hosts, crustaceans as intermediate hosts, and fish as paratenic hosts, underscores the ecological complexity and the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems with human health. Given the increasing globalization of seafood trade and changing dietary habits, anisakiasis represents a growing public health concern. Effective control requires enhanced epidemiological surveillance, implementation of stringent food safety measures, and increased consumer awareness regarding proper seafood handling and preparation. Furthermore, the integration of veterinary, medical, and environmental disciplines within a One Health framework is critical for comprehensive risk assessment, prevention, and control of this neglected zoonotic disease. https://pubs.sciepub.com/ajmbr/14/1/3/ajmbr-14-1-3.pdf Anisakiasis Anisakis simplex Food-borne zoonosis One Health Parasite Seafood safety