Amoeba: Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan,is the cause of amoebiasis, which is very common in a tropical country like India. Entamoeba Histolytica is transmitted at 60°C through infected cyst. It remains viable only in moist form and gets destroyed at 60°C and at freezing conditions beyond 24 hours.
The foods like vegetables from fields irrigated with sewage polluted water are the vehicles of transmission. They get contaminated with amoebic cysts through polluted water and infected handlers. Viable cysts have been found on the hands and under the finger nails of the carriers. The common pests like flies, cockroaches and rodents may also harbour the cysts and contaminate food and drinks. The symptoms of diarrhea occur from several days to 4 weeks after ingestion of the contaminated
food. The prevention of amoebiasis is by using food procured from reliable sources, preparing food in potable water and adequate cooking and proper storage after preparation. Use of filtered / boiled water, disinfection of uncooked vegetables with * an aqueous solution of iodine around 200 ppm or acetic acid (5-10%) or full strength vinegar are the recommended measures to minimize the problem.