In 1891, Russian parasitologist, Konstantin Nikolaevich Vinogradov [ru] (1847–1906)[2] found it in a human, and named the parasite a "Siberian liver fluke".

Distribution of Opisthorchis felineus include: Spain, Italy, Albania, Greece, France, Macedonia, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Russia, Turkey, and Caucasus.

[4] The first intermediate hosts of the parasite are freshwater snails: The second intermediate hosts are freshwater fish: Leuciscus idus, Tinca tinca, Abramis brama, white-eye bream Ballerus sapa, Barbus barbus, common carp Cyprinus carpio, Blicca bjoerkna, Leuciscus idus, Alburnus alburnus, Aspius aspius, and common rudd Scardinius erythropthalmus.

[4] The definitive hosts are fish-eating mammals such as dogs, foxes, cats, rats, pigs, rabbits, seals, lions, wolverines, martens, polecats and humans.

Symptoms of infection include fever, general felling of tiredness, skin rash, and gastrointestinal disturbances.