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.