In a shocking reminder of the lurking dangers in our environment, a young girl in Hawaii faced a near-death experience after contracting rat lungworm disease. The harrowing ordeal of Elowen, as recounted by her mother Emily Faith Kubowski, has brought to light the severity of this rare parasitic infection that is more commonly found in tropical Asian countries and the Pacific Islands.
Elowen’s symptoms began last December, starting with fussiness and quickly escalating to severe physical impairments. She stopped using her legs, had difficulty swallowing, and suffered from unexpected bouts of dozing off. Despite initial tests coming back negative, a subsequent spinal tap revealed parasites swimming in her spinal fluid, confirming the fears of her vigilant mother who suspected rat lungworm from the onset.
A man in Sydney has died almost a decade after he was infected by rat lung worm, a parasite usually found in rodents, brought on by swallowing a slug.https://t.co/9toRLWEEQC
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) November 5, 2018
The disease, scientifically known as angiostrongyliasis, is caused by a parasite carried by rats. The larvae excreted by these rodents are then ingested by slugs or snails, which can end up in unwashed produce consumed by humans. In Elowen’s case, it is believed she may have come into contact with the parasite while crawling on the ground at her home in Puna on the Big Island, inadvertently transferring it from her hand to her mouth.
This incident underscores the importance of public awareness and education regarding the risks associated with rat lungworm disease. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have noted that the majority of cases occur outside the continental United States, Hawaii has been grappling with its presence since as far back as 1959. However, mandatory reporting of the disease to Hawaii’s Department of Health only began in 2007, revealing 82 reported cases between 2007 and 2017.
Sam Ballard ate a snail on a dare, got a disease called "rat lung worm" from a parasite in the snail, ended up paralyzed and died. Snails get the parasite by eating rat feces. Within days, he had piercing pain in his legs. There are a couple of things to learn from this. /1 pic.twitter.com/DpZ7SVfkDL
— Victor Scott (@VictorFromDE) November 14, 2023
The potential vectors for this disease include not only common slugs and snails but also invasive species such as the semi-slug, which is particularly adept at climbing and accessing water tanks and sinks. This adaptability makes them a formidable source of infection, capable of hiding in everyday produce.
While most infections resolve without treatment after the parasite dies, the CDC reports that a significant number of cases result in hospitalization, and there have been fatalities. Children under ten years old tend to exhibit symptoms like fever and vomiting, whereas adults often suffer from headaches, joint pain, muscle aches, and stiff necks.
To combat the spread of this disease, health officials recommend practical measures such as thoroughly washing produce before consumption and avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked snails or slugs. Boiling snails, shrimp, and crabs before eating is also advised.
Elowen’s story is a stark reminder of the need for increased vigilance and proactive measures to prevent such infections. It is imperative that healthcare providers, especially in regions like East Hawaii, are well-informed and equipped to handle potential cases. As we move forward, it is crucial to apply the lessons learned from Elowen’s ordeal to bolster prevention strategies and safeguard public health against the threat of rat lungworm disease.
