People from East Asia are disproportionately affected by this cancer kind.
The goal of Doctor Narong Khuntikeo's campaign to warn the public against Koi Pla is admirable. This meal was the cause of death for his own parents—liver cancer.
The Laotians, however, are unresponsive. Even though it's a tradition that might kill them, they refuse to stop making and eating this food.
The health burden is significant in this area, Dr. Khuntikeo told Agence France-Presse. "However, this goes unreported because their deaths are as silent as falling leaves."
In 2017, the doctor and a team of researchers examined the dish's regular eaters using ultrasound scans and urine testing.
Approximately 80% of the population in various groups tested positive for the parasite.
Most locals won't give a hoot when you tell them the results.
"Well, there are certainly more ways to meet your demise," said one of them. The fact that one has been consuming koi fish since childhood makes it likely that they will have the disease, according to another who had never been tested.
