A 21 yr outdated man from Sydney, Australia is in vital situation as we communicate on account of a silly dare. The dare was merely to eat a slug-bad concept, as a result of now he is contracted rat lungworm.
The rat lungworm or Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a parasitic an infection in rats the place the worm matures. Mollusks like snails and slugs choose up Angiostrongylus larvae by ingesting them in rat feces.
An infection is by by accident or as on this case, deliberately ingesting uncooked snails and slugs. Lettuce and different leafy greens can also be a supply if contaminated by small mollusks. Consuming uncooked or undercooked prawns and crabs which have ingested mollusks can also be a supply of an infection.
Many circumstances of rat lungworm are asymptomatic or exhibiting simply delicate signs. Nonetheless, rat lungworm can lead to a really critical referred to as eosinophilic meningitis (for the reason that spinal fluid might have a excessive share of eosinophils). The signs can embrace headache, stiff neck, tingling or painful emotions within the pores and skin, mind swelling, low-grade fever, nausea, and vomiting. Signs might final for weeks to months. Deaths have been reported.
Because the parasite dies over time as a result of it could’t mature and full its life cycle in people, remedy is normally not obligatory. Normally remedy of signs; headache drugs and steroids are all that’s wanted. Anti-parasitic medication are usually ineffective towards the rat lungworm.
To keep away from rat lungworm:
• Do not eat uncooked or undercooked snails or slugs.
• Cook dinner crabs and prawns to kill the larvae.
• Completely clear lettuce and different produce.