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First Hawaii Rat Lungworm Case of 2018 – Source Unknown

By Anthony Marangon on February 23, 2018
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The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed the first case of rat lungworm disease in the state this year in an adult resident of West Hawaii on Hawaii Island. The individual became seriously ill earlier this month and is being treated at a hospital. Laboratory results confirmed evidence of the rat lungworm parasite in the individual’s spinal fluid.

The DOH has conducted a detailed investigation of the case and is unable to determine the exact source of the infection. The department is unable to provide more specific information on this individual’s case.

“This is a reminder for everyone to take precautions and control snail, slug, and rat populations in and around properties, and especially home and school gardens and farms,” said Aaron Ueno, Hawaii District Health Office administrator. “We know that slugs, snails, and rats in all counties carry the parasite that can cause rat lungworm disease, and rain with wet conditions often brings more of these garden pests.”

Rat lungworm disease (angiostrongyliasis) can have debilitating effects on an infected person’s brain and spinal cord. The disease is endemic to Hawaii and is contracted when a person becomes infected with the parasite Angiostongylus cantonensis. In Hawaii, this occurs when a person accidentally consumes raw or undercooked infected slugs or snails. The most common symptoms include severe headaches and neck stiffness, but symptoms may vary widely among cases. The most serious cases experience neurological problems, pain, and severe disability.

In 2017, there were 17 laboratory-confirmed cases of rat lungworm disease statewide.

The public is urged to take the following precautions to prevent rat lungworm disease:

Inspect, wash and store produce in sealed containers, regardless of whether it came from a local retailer, farmer’s market, or backyard garden.

Wash All fruits and vegetables under running water, especially leafy greens, to remove any tiny slugs or snails.

Control snail, slug, and rat populations. Eliminate slugs, snails, and rats around properties, and especially around home gardens and farms.

Photo of Anthony Marangon Anthony Marangon

Anthony joined Marler Clark as an associate attorney in August 2015, after graduating from Seattle University School of Law with honors. During law school, Anthony worked as an in-house legal intern at Weyerhaeuser Company, where he focused in environmental and natural resources law.

Anthony joined Marler Clark as an associate attorney in August 2015, after graduating from Seattle University School of Law with honors. During law school, Anthony worked as an in-house legal intern at Weyerhaeuser Company, where he focused in environmental and natural resources law. He also served as a summer clerk at the firm of Fortier & Mikko, P.C. in Anchorage, Alaska, and served as a legal extern at the King County Superior Court to Judge (now Justice) Mary Yu, of the Washington State Supreme Court. Anthony spent the last year of law school working as a Rule 9 Legal Licensed Intern with Marler Clark, where he worked closely with Bill Marler and Denis Stearns on research projects that covered a variety of complex legal issues, such as the recovery of emotional distress damages in cases involving consumption of recalled food, and the differing legal standards applicable to the certification of class actions under federal and state laws.

Read more about Anthony MarangonEmail
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  • Posted in:
    Food, Drug & Agriculture, Personal Injury
  • Blog:
    Food Poison Journal
  • Organization:
    Marler Clark LLP, PS
  • Article: View Original Source

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