Parasitic brain worms spread by rats and snails have been confirmed in Georgia, according to the findings of a recent study.
Angiostrongylus cantonensis, also known as rat lungworm, is usually found in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, but a new study has found the parasite in Atlanta.
After collecting tissue samples from wild brown rats found dead in Atlanta, researchers say they found more than 20% of the animals had nematodes in their hearts, pulmonary arteries or brain tissue.
“A. cantonensis lungworm in populations of urban rodents, gastropod intermediate hosts, and other paratenic hosts in the greater Atlanta area poses a possible threat to human health and to domestic, free-ranging and captive animals,” researchers with the University of Georgia wrote in a report summarizing their study. which was published in the Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal.
The researchers say they believe the parasite has spread and “become established” in the southeastern United States.
Angiostrongylus cantonensis — spread by rodents and snails — has been confirmed in Georgia, according to recent study findings. FOX Researchers say they believe the parasite has spread in the southeastern United States. FOX Rat lungworm, usually found in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, but a new study has found the parasite in Atlanta.FOX
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, humans can accidentally become hosts to the parasite by eating raw or undercooked food, and outbreaks are extremely rare.
Once inside humans, the worms can cause a rare brain infection known as eosinophilic meningitis.
Symptoms can include headache, neck stiffness, tingling, fever, vomiting, or skin pain.
“Most A. cantonensis infections heal spontaneously over time without specific treatment because the parasite cannot survive long in the human body. However, serious complications rarely occur, leading to neurological dysfunction or death,” according to a study published in the journal EID.
There is currently no specific treatment for the parasite, but the CDC says there may be some treatments that help reduce symptoms.
If you have symptoms and believe you may have been exposed to lungworm, contact your healthcare provider.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
