New Case of Rat Lungworm Reported on Big Island

A new case of rat lungworm disease has been reported on Big Island, a Hawaii News Now article stated yesterday.

The semi-slug that has been heavily implicated in transmission of rat lung worm disease. University of Hawai’i photo.

The Department of Health confirmed the case on Thursday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases statewide to 15.

According to the news report, the individual was hospitalized for disease-related treatment and has since been discharged.

Nine Big Island residents have contracted the parasite before this week’s new case, along with four Maui residents and two visitors who stayed on Maui.

According to the DOH website, the rat lungworm can affect the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include severe headache, stiffness of the neck and back, skin tingling, pain and sensitivity, sensitivity to light, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting and sometimes coma and death.

For more information about rat lungworm, click here.