How an increasingly-common allergy is taking salmon off the table for some Alaskans

A growing allergy to Anisakis is taking salmon off the table for some Alaskans, as Chuck Seaca describes violent reactions after eating fish caught by his family. Doctors diagnosed Anisakis allergy, a parasitic worm common in salmon, and epidemiologist Joe McLaughlin notes rising incidence even though exact numbers remain unknown. Health officials advise proper cooking or freezing to destroy parasites, with guidelines of minus 4 F for seven days or minus 31 F until solid. Climate change and rebounding marine mammal populations are cited as factors increasing Anisakis presence in Alaska’s waters, since marine mammals are key hosts in the parasite’s life cycle. While the worms are part of the ecosystem, complete preparation helps reduce risk for consumers.