The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a case of rat lungworm disease in a Kauaʻi adult.

The individual, who had no history of travel outside of Kauaʻi County, experienced symptoms including headaches, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness and an aversion to bright light.

The diagnosis of rat lungworm was confirmed by newly available sensitive testing at the DOH State Laboratories Division, however the investigation was not able to identify an exact source of infection.

From Jan. 1, 2014 to the present, a roughly 10-year period, 102 cases of rat lungworm disease have been reported statewide — 78 from Hawai‘I County, 13 from Maui County, seven from Honolulu County and four from Kaua‘i County (including the case reported in this release).

The DOH provides the following recommendations to prevent rat lungworm disease:

• Wash all fruits and vegetables under clean, running water to remove any tiny slugs or snails. Pay close attention to leafy greens.
• Control snail, slug and rat populations around homes, gardens and farms.
• Maintain water catchment systems and replace filters regularly.

Early diagnosis helps target treatment to reduce the long-term effects associated with this disease. It is also important to rule out other dangerous diseases that can cause similar symptoms. Individuals with symptoms should consult their healthcare provider promptly.

For more information about rat lungworm disease and how to prevent its spread, visit: https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/rat-lungworm-neuroangiostrongyliasis/

Rat lungworm disease, is caused by a parasitic roundworm and can have debilitating effects on an infected person’s brain and spinal cord.  Symptoms vary widely between cases; the most common ones include severe headaches and neck stiffness. The most serious cases experience neurological problems, severe pain and long-term disability.