[ETL]

'Rat lungworm' explained: What to know about the parasitic roundworm

If you're considering eating raw or undercooked snails, slugs or centipedes — you may want to think again.

Some of these delicacies may carry "rat lungworm," a parasite that can infect critters through rodent feces.

Here's what you should know about the parasitic roundworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, and how it can be avoided.

Where is the parasite found?

Rodents have the adult form, with sickened rats passing the parasite's larvae in feces, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says online.

How are snails, slugs and humans infected?

Infections occur in snails and slugs when they consume the parasite's larvae, the agency says, adding that humans can end up with rat lungworm if they consume these infected delicacies when they're raw or not cooked fully. Eating frogs, crabs and freshwater shrimp that are raw or undercooked may also be an issue.

"People also can get infected by accident, by eating raw produce (such as lettuce) that contains a small snail or slug or part of one," the CDC says.

University of South Florida researchers have warned that coma and death are possible with very serious infections.

If someone's infected, however, they cannot transmit the parasite to somebody else.

Where have there been cases in the U.S.?

Humans have been infected in Hawaii, Louisiana and Texas, University of Florida researchers said in a study published last year. The CDC points out there have rarely been cases in other states.

What sort of preventative measures can I take?

Fully wash produce and stay away from eating raw or undercooked snails and slugs or other critters that could be exposed to the parasite.

What's known about symptoms?

Nausea, headache, vomiting, a low fever and painful skin sensations are a few of the signs, the CDC says.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...

[ETL]

"If you're considering eating raw or undercooked snails, slugs or centipedes — you may want to think again."

[ETL]

Sam Ballard was a strapping rugby player before the devastating effects of the infection from a
garden slug.

[Sans-Culotte]

The teenager from Sydney’s upper north shore was having a laugh and some red wine with mates in the backyard, “trying to act like grown-ups”.

FAIL

[dainbramaged]

Years back in Ketchikan a young drunken fisherman swallowed a rough-skinned newt on a dare. The newt produces a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin and he was dead in a few hours.

[Red Badger]

It’s Australia......even the slugs will kill you................

[lee martell]

That’s a very sad case. I read about him a few years back.
Teenagers are in the best shape they will ever be and often think that nothing can hurt them.
The young man is to be honest in a better place now.
At least he is not suffering now.

His mom is a hero for providing him care during most of that time. She had to learn a lot about patient care, and learn it quickly. His friends were polite enough to come see him every so often, which was very kind. Some people don’t know how to deal with having a friend who has a profound disability. Most people would just stop all contact.

[bgill]

So, it wasn’t a garden grub but a rat lungworm. I’ll tell the kitties, who enjoy bringing me grubs, not to eat rat lungworms.

[Ciexyz]

Prayers for his family.

[Yaelle]

How sad is that?! I am telling my kids. Let’s not do dares that involve eating any non food! So sad.

[TheRightGuy]

JUST SAY NO
TO ESCARGOT!