Parasites in Paradise: Rat lungworm disease confirmed in three Hawaii visitors

Three visitors in Hawaii fell ill with rat lungworm disease, now totaling five cases this year. The five cases were all contracted on the big island of Hawaii. Rat lungworm disease is a parasitic infection that can cause severe effects on a persons brain and spinal cord. Most people become ill by accidentally ingesting a snail or slug infected with the parasite. The illness lasts between two weeks and two months, and the incubation period is one to three weeks. This disease has been endemic for the last 50 years. Prevention includes washing all fruits and vegetables, and keeping all produce stored in sealed containers because 80% of land snails are carriers of the parasite. click here.