Disgusting reveals huge worm population in digestive tract

An emergency medicine doctor has shared a "creepy and disturbing" removing a disgusting batch of parasitic worms from a horse's intestines.

The parasites are roundworms, or Ascaris lumbricoides, that can grow up to 11 inches long and live in the intestines of humans or animals for up to two years, explained Florida-based physician Sam Galli.

The worms, which can be contracted through contaminated food and water, do not cause any symptoms, but a large number of them can lead to digestive problems such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea.

Ghaly explains that the video, which has been viewed half a million times on X, actually shows a horse's intestines, but he says the worms can also infect humans, and can cause fatal intestinal blockages.

However, veterinarians who commented on the video said that humans do not usually get such a severe infection.

It is estimated that about 1 billion people worldwide, or 1 in 8, are infected with giant roundworms. People become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with microscopic roundworm eggs.

This can happen through hands becoming contaminated with pet feces, and then the eggs are transferred to food during preparation.

The infection is treated with antiparasitic medications to kill the worms.