What states have rat lungworm?

The cases studied came from Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. And the patients, who included children as young as 1 year old, might have ingested the parasite from their home gardens if they didn’t wash their produce well, a CDC official said.

Can humans get rat lungworm?

Rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) facts Angiostrongyliasis is the term describing rat lungworm infection of humans. People get infected by eating raw or undercooked snails and/or slugs infected with the rat lungworm.

Can you survive rat lungworm?

Rat lungworm, or Angiostrongylus cantonensis, can be transmitted between mollusks — like snails and slugs — and rats, and it can make humans sick. According to the Hawaii state Department of Health, when infecting a human, the parasites can’t reproduce or mature, and they will die in due course.

What are the symptoms of rat lungworm?

People with this condition may have headaches, a stiff neck, tingling or pain in the skin, fever, nausea, and vomiting. The time between eating the slug or snail and getting sick is usually 1-3 weeks.

Where is rat lungworm found in the United States?

Travelers can catch the parasite, which originates in rats. Six of the cases identified by the CDC since 2011 were in people living in the southern U.S., including Texas, Tennessee and Alabama, the CDC said. The rest were in travelers who may have eaten the parasite overseas.

Where does rat lungworm exist?

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which is also known as the rat lungworm, causes eosinophilic meningitis and is prevalent in Southeast Asia and tropical Pacific islands.

Can you get rat lungworm from touching a slug?

Infected slugs and snails also transmit rat lungworms to humans. All known cases of rat lungworm disease are linked to slug and snail contact. Slugs and snails can contaminate garden produce with rat lungworm parasites.

Do I have rat lungworm?

When symptoms are present, they can include severe headache and stiffness of the neck, tingling or painful feelings in the skin or extremities, low-grade fever, nausea, and vomiting. Sometimes, a temporary paralysis of the face may also be present, as well as light sensitivity.

Is slug slime harmful to humans?

It has been shown that slug slime may carry a very small number of parasites in comparison with the body of the slug itself. Ingestion of a few parasites could possibly cause an infection, but it would probably be relatively mild. There are no studies that support an infection could be caused by skin contact.

How do you get rid of rat lungworm?

For added prevention, cooking food by boiling for 3 to 5 minutes or heating to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 seconds can kill the parasite that causes rat lungworm disease.”

Is rat lungworm in North Carolina?

Established populations currently occur in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. This species can serve as a host for the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis,4 a parasite that can cause disease in people who consume infected mollusks.

Is rat lungworm in Australia?

According to Brisbane doctors, rat lung worm is endemic in Australia’s tropical and warm areas, particularly in urban areas such as Brisbane and Sydney. This parasite lives in snails and slugs and can cause significant damage to pets and humans if ingested.