Additional Rat Lungworm Community Meetings Planned in Wailuku, Lahaina

PC: Hawaiʻi Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa and the Maui District Health Office announced two additional community meetings in Wailuku and Lahaina to provide information on safety measures and vector control practices to help prevent Rat Lungworm Disease or Angiostrongyliasis.

The meetings will be held:

Tuesday, May 2, 2017 in Wailuku at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center, 395 Waena St. Doors open at 5 p.m.; session begins at 5:30 p.m.
Monday, May 8, 2017: in West Maui at the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall, 1840 Honoapiilani Hwy. Doors open at 5 p.m.; session begins at 5:30 p.m.

DOH Hāna Community Meeting on rat lungworm concerns, 4.6.17. PC: County of Maui.

At these two town hall-type meetings, presentations will be given on the Rat Lungworm parasite, current research and measures for controlling slugs, rats and snails; a demonstration on how to wash and care for vegetables and fruits; details on one person’s experience with Rat Lungworm Disease; and Q&A. Presenters include representatives from the State Department of Health’s Maui District Health Office; the UH Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources and the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

There have been a total of 11 confirmed cases of rat lungworm infection this year in the state.  Earlier this year, four Maui resident cases, two non-resident cases who were visitors to Maui, and three Hawaiʻi Island resident cases were confirmed.

For information on Rat Lungworm Disease, visit www.mauiready.org/ratlungworm.