24 votes

Multiple rats in Atlanta test positive for dangerous parasite that can infect human brains - from Asia, has been found in Australia, Hawaii, Spain

Posted by boxer_dogs_dance
Tags: usa.ga.atlanta, parasites, pests, rodents, rats, rat lungworm, health.public, author.beth mole, source.ars technica
https://arstechnica.com/health/2023/09/worm-that-jumps-from-rats-to-slugs-to-human-brains-has-invaded-southeast-us/

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Title
Worm that jumps from rats to slugs to human brains has invaded Southeast US
Authors
Beth Mole
Published
Sep 22 2023
Word count
506 words

7 comments

  1. [6]
    spit-evil-olive-tips
    (edited )
    Link
    "considered limited to disease-endemic areas" is some choice phrasing. it's only endemic in the areas of the world where it's endemic... get ready to hear variations on this a lot more often: "for...

    The rat lungworm parasite was first described in Canton (Guangzhou), China, in 1935 and, for decades after, was considered limited to disease-endemic areas of the Pacific basin and Southeast Asia. But, with climate change and the human-facilitated spread of rats and other hosts, especially giant snails, rat lungworm is rapidly emerging around the globe.

    "considered limited to disease-endemic areas" is some choice phrasing. it's only endemic in the areas of the world where it's endemic...

    get ready to hear variations on this a lot more often:

    "for decades, such-and-such has been a problem, but only in tropical regions, and most of the people who live there are poor and don't have access to well-funded medical care, so it's been neglected for all those years."

    "but suddenly, it's showing up in wealthy countries due to climate change, and now it's a Big Problem That Everyone Should Pay Attention To."

    21 votes
    1. Mrqewl
      Link Parent
      I think maybe you're reading too much in to that...? Wealthy countries and some wealthy organizations have done a LOT to try and rid tropical regions if disease just look at malaria and small pox....

      I think maybe you're reading too much in to that...?

      Wealthy countries and some wealthy organizations have done a LOT to try and rid tropical regions if disease just look at malaria and small pox.

      There's a lot of disease endemic to the US that is also not being studied / cured. For example EEE is isolated to new england, terrifying , and also not being rapidly cured, despite new england being very wealthy

      10 votes
    2. stu2b50
      Link Parent
      I'm pretty sure it's just awkwardly worded. "Disease-endemic", as in, these were the regions where the disease was endemic to originally. Is that redundant given the rest of the sentence? Yes, but...

      I'm pretty sure it's just awkwardly worded. "Disease-endemic", as in, these were the regions where the disease was endemic to originally. Is that redundant given the rest of the sentence? Yes, but that's deadlines for you.

      3 votes
    3. boxer_dogs_dance
      Link Parent
      Climate change plus world trade and leisure travel facilitating the transfer of rats between continents.

      Climate change plus world trade and leisure travel facilitating the transfer of rats between continents.

      2 votes
    4. [2]
      Omnicrola
      Link Parent
      Every time I hear about a "new" virus or parasite making inroads to new places in the world, it amazes me that human beings as a species have survived this long in the first place. So many things...

      Every time I hear about a "new" virus or parasite making inroads to new places in the world, it amazes me that human beings as a species have survived this long in the first place. So many things are trying to kill us.

      1 vote
      1. boxer_dogs_dance
        Link Parent
        To be infected with this parasite, you have to eat something that ate it that is not thoroughly cooked if I understand correctly. Be wary of snails in salad mix and crustaceans that may have eaten...

        To be infected with this parasite, you have to eat something that ate it that is not thoroughly cooked if I understand correctly. Be wary of snails in salad mix and crustaceans that may have eaten these snails.

  2. zipf_slaw
    Link
    Calamitous, what an endearing name for a brand new medical hazard (in the US). TLDR: 1) dont eat snails, slugs (or poorly cleaned salad greens!), or under-cooked frogs, freshwater crustaceans. 2)...

    Calamitous, what an endearing name for a brand new medical hazard (in the US).

    TLDR: 1) dont eat snails, slugs (or poorly cleaned salad greens!), or under-cooked frogs, freshwater crustaceans. 2) There is currently no cure for human infections, anti-parasitic meds don't work and can potentially make it worse. 3) Found all over the world, but fairly new in SE US and southern Europe.

    14 votes