Alive leech removed from throat of 5-year-old boy

Leech measuring 2.75 inches was discovered by ear, nose and throat specialist Zhu.

YUNNAN (Dunya News) – Doctors in China’s southwestern Yunnan province have removed huge leech from a 5-year-old boy’s throat after the parasite caused painful symptoms for over a year. Shuangjiang People’s Hospital said, “The boy from the county’s Mengku town had suffered from recurring symptoms including a sore throat, breathing difficulties and snoring in his sleep.” “He had been taken to other facilities for treatment in the past, but his condition persisted for more than 12 months,” the hospital said. Later, the parasite measuring 2.75 inches was discovered by ear, nose and throat specialist Zhu Weihong. Zhu said: "This is the leech removed from behind the glottis of a five-year-old boy. It’s likely that the leech was what had caused the boy’s breathing difficulties." "It’s possible that he drank raw water," the medic added, suggesting that the boy might have ingested an egg or leech in larval form. "If our children in rural areas don’t change their sanitation practices, these sorts of cases will continue to exist." "Parents should be reminded not to let their children drink raw water," he said