Health Dept. Confirms First Case of Rat Lungworm Disease on O‘ahu in 2017

The state Department of Health confirmed the first case of rat lungworm disease contracted on Oʻahu in 2017, bringing the statewide total of confirmed cases this year to sixteen. The latest case involves a resident of Oʻahu who is an adult.  The patient is currently hospitalized and the department confirmed their illness late on Tuesday afternoon.

PC: Hawaiʻi Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control

Health officials say the individual began experiencing symptoms consistent with rat lungworm disease in July.

DOH staff from the Vector Control Program and Disease Investigation Branch started conducting onsite property assessments this morning in East Oʻahu in response to the finding.

Vector Control staff surveyed for slug, snail and rat activity.  Current findings do not show evidence of slugs or semi-slugs nearby.

The source of the individual’s infection is still unknown at this time, but DOH will continue investigations based on the information gathered today. The last reported case of rat lungworm disease on Oʻahu was seven years ago in 2010.

“This is a serious disease that can be acquired on any of our islands because slugs and snails throughout the state carry the parasite responsible for the illness,” said Keith Kawaoka, deputy director of Environmental Health. “This is a grim reminder that we all need to take precautions when working in our gardens and on farms, and eliminate slugs, snails and rats from our communities to reduce the risks posed by this parasitic disease.”

DOH recently announced plans to ramp up efforts to prevent rat lungworm disease statewide. This includes efforts to increase public outreach and education throughout the state—a top initiative identified by the Governor’s Rat Lungworm Disease Joint Task Force, which was convened in 2016. The Joint Task Force is comprised of local experts in medical, scientific, environmental, and public health fields from across the state.

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

• Carefully inspect, wash and store produce in sealed containers, regardless of whether it came from a local retailer, farmer’s market, or backyard garden.
• All fruits and vegetables should be washed and rubbed under running water, especially leafy greens, in order to remove any tiny slugs or snails.
• Controlling snail, slug, and rat populations is one of the most important steps in fighting the spread of rat lungworm disease. Eliminate slugs, snails, and rats around properties, and especially around home gardens.
• Farmers as well as food handlers and processors should increase diligence in controlling slugs, snails, and rats on the farm.

Rat lungworm disease or angiostrongyliasis is contracted when a person becomes infected with the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis. This often happens when a person accidentally consumes raw or undercooked infected slugs, snails, freshwater shrimp, land crabs or frogs.

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.

More information about the signs and symptoms of rat lungworm disease may be found at the Hawaiʻi Department of Health website. The first of a series of public service announcements about rat lungworm disease prevention is also posted on the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture’s website.