Medical officials have issued an urgent warning to the public across the southern US regarding a killer virus that has found its way to our shores.
What’s known as the “rat lungworm” is a parasitic worm native to Hawaii and other tropical locations.But now it’s been identified in numerous counties in Florida, and officials say it’s very likely the problem has already spread to neighboring states.
The microscopic worm is most commonly found in rats, snails and shellfish, but can be transferred to humans by eating infected creatures.
Once inside, the rat lungworm can infect the brain with a nasty virus that brings a litany of symptoms, including possible death.
Rat lungworm can cause severe gastrointestinal or central nervous system issues in humans and animals, including livestock or pets.
The parasite poses a risk to humans who ingest it through eating raw or undercooked snails or slugs that are infected, or freshwater shrimp, crabs or frogs that are infected with larvae. It can also be transmitted through raw produce that contains a small snail or slug. The parasite cannot be transmitted from human-to-human, and not all who are infected fall ill from it.
However, those who do experience symptoms may develop eosinophilic meningitis and can suffer from headache, stiff neck, tingling or painful feelings in the skin, low-grade fever, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may last from 2-8 weeks and can resolve without treatment over time, although a failure to diagnose the infection may lead to serious complications or even death, according to the CDC.
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