ALERT: Hawaii- Outbreak of Rat Lungworm Disease, 9 Confirmed Cases including Two Visitors (April 12, 2017)
April 11, 2017
News reports from Hawaii indicate that there is an outbreak of “rat lungworm disease” with nine confirmed cases, including among two visitors to Hawaii. The Hawaii Department of Health has issued guidelines for prevention.
According to KHON-TV (Honolulu):
Researchers are calling it an epidemic: a big spike in the number of people infected with rat lungworm disease in Hawaii. The Department of Health says so far there are nine confirmed cases of the disease. Four are Maui residents, two are visitors who contracted it on Maui, and three live on Hawaii Island.
State officials are also looking into three possible cases on Maui, and one on Hawaii Island. The Department of Health adds 11 cases were confirmed on Hawaii Island in 2016.
The disease starts out as a parasitic worm that invades the human brain. The worm is carried by rats, then spread through snails or slugs that crawl onto fruits or vegetables.
University of Hawaii at Hilo researchers say rat lungworm disease is preventable, but only if people are informed. They’re asking for more funding from the state to let people know about the dangers, as well as to find out the most effective vegetable washes so people can continue to eat local and fresh produce safely.
Both researchers want to create a safety campaign on the dangers of eating raw fruits and vegetables that haven’t been properly washed.
Click here for what the state says is the proper way to wash your produce.
They believe the rise in cases is due to a “semi–slug,” an invasive species that spread from Hawaii Island to Maui. Both call it an epidemic.
The Hawaii Department of Health has issued a flier on how to avoid rat lungworm disease. It advises:
The rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, can cause a disease called angiostrongyliasis, which can affect the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include severe headache, stiffness of the neck and back, skin tingling, pain and sensitivity, Travel Leaders • 3033 Campus Drive Ste W320 • Plymouth, MN 55441
sensitivity to light, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting and sometimes coma and death. Symptoms will vary from person to person.
Foods such as raw produce, raw or undercooked snails, freshwater prawns, crabs and frogs can be contaminated by an unseen parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm). Fish are not known to carry this parasite. The rat lungworm is found most often in snails and slugs and has also been found in the flatworm. The worm infects rats, which pass the parasite to snails, slugs, freshwater prawns, crabs and frogs. Humans become infected by ingesting an infected host.
Prevention:
- • DO NOT eat raw foods contaminated with the slime from snails or slugs or visible snail or slugs.
- • RINSE PRODUCE in potable water completely, and boil snails, freshwater prawns, crabs, and frogs for AT LEAST 3-5 MINUTES.
- • Do not handle snails and slugs with bare hands.
- • Control slugs and snails at your residence.
- • Cover your catchment tanks to prevent slugs and snails from having access.
- • Controlling rodents can also help control the rat lungworm.
Visit our website for more prevention methods If you think you may have angiostrongyliasis, see your health care provider and let him/her know of your exposures. For more information call the Hawai‘i District Health Office Disease Investigations office: 808-933-0912 or see CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/angiostrongyliasis/index.htm
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