Rep. Colleen Hanabusa announced on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, that she is pushing for language directing the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to limit and reduce incidents of infection for Angiostrongylus cantonensis, also known as rat lungworm disease, in the Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations bills.
Hanabusa asked for the language in a letter to Congressman Tom Cole, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services Education and Related Agencies and Ranking Member Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.
The letter also asks for research to better understand and diagnose the disease and points out there is no specific treatment.
“There needs to be more research done in Hawai‘i and around the world to better understand this disease so that we can improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment,” wrote Rep. Hanabusa. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure we collect the best knowledge on this and other emerging diseases for our nation’s public health and safety.”
This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Big Island Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments
