A 2019 review listed a total of 37 known human cases of dioctophymiasis in 10 countries with the highest number (22) in China.

The samples were dated from 3384 to 3370 BC, and is evidence that the prevalence of this infection was higher in early human history (before full understanding of proper cooking techniques).

[1][3][4][7] In some cases the fibrosis occurring after parasite infection is an incidental finding in ultrasound or CT scan, mimicking renal cancer, leading to radical nephrectomy.

Global renal dysfunction is typically limited because the non-infected kidney is usually capable of assuming the increased work.

[4] These eggs are ingested by an aquatic oligochaete, hatch, penetrate blood vessels, and develop into a stage three larvae.

[1][8][14] Definitive hosts are carnivorous mammals, notably mink,[15] but also includes wolves, coyotes, foxes,[16] dogs,[17] raccoons, and weasels.

[6] Transmission to humans typically occurs upon ingestion of raw or undercooked freshwater fish or frog.

Confirmed cases of infection have occurred in minks,[18][19] dogs,[17] swine, bears, oxen, and humans.

[citation needed] The only means of obtaining a definitive diagnosis is through the identification of D. renale eggs in a patient's urine.

[citation needed] Though D. renale is distributed worldwide, it is markedly less frequent in Africa and Oceania, where human infection is extremely rare.

Thus, the simple practice of thoroughly cooking fish prior to consumption could be promoted and lead to eradication of D. renale infection in humans.