Zoonotic transmission of parasitism is an underreported and under recognized, worldwide distributed entity. Humans acquire these infections either through food, water, soil or close contact with animals. Mostly parasitic zoonoses are those of neglected diseases but with more demand of the food supply, increased travelling and increased ratio of highly susceptible persons coupled with changes in culinary practices with simultaneous improvement in diagnostic tools as well as communication facilities. These conditions are emerging at an alarming rate. Global sourcing of food, coupled with changing consumer vogues, including the consumption of raw vegetables and undercooking to retain the natural taste and preserve heat-labile nutrients, can increase the risk of foodborne transmission. The increasing demand for raw or under-cooked food is also considered as one of the major reasons causing food borne infections, especially waterborne parasitic diseases, in the last decade. The present review will discuss the factor responsible for transmission and occurrence of zoonotic diseases along with different helminthes and protozoan parasites that are considered to be as important food borne zoonoses. A greater awareness of parasite contamination of our environment and its impact on health has precipitated the development of better detection methods. Overall, there is an urgent need for better monitoring and control of food-borne parasites using new technologies. Robust, efficient detection, viability and typing methods are required to assess risks and to further epidemiological understanding. This paper reviews the most important emerging food-borne parasites, with emphasis on transmission routes
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