Contact with the earth and insects cause the parasite to lodge in the brains of our babies
The parasites, which under the microscope are shaped like a noodle, penetrate the intestine of the rats, reach the brain, there they develop and return to the rat’s pulmonary artery where they reproduce. When rats expel them in their droppings, they stay in the ground or they can be carried by other animals such as insects or snails: this is the Angiostrongylus cantonensis , popularly known as the rat lungworm.
In young children, this parasite causes nausea, vomiting and fever, it can cause meningitis, an inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the spinal cord and which usually has serious consequences.
It is important to be aware of the smallest of the house, keep them close to us when they are playing in the yard or in the garden and avoid contact with insects, grass and dirt at all costs. A tidy and hygienic house will prevent the arrival of rats to our home to a greater extent, and therefore, will prevent parasites from reaching our babies.
Twelve cases of human infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis, otherwise known as rat lungworm, have been identified in the continental United States, with possible sources including raw vegetables from local gardens, according to a recent @CDCMMWR: https://t.co/KeSN6FSHGt pic.twitter.com/tRqW3qt8lG
— Infectious Disease News (@InfectDisNews) August 6, 2018
“12 cases of human infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis, also known as the rat lungworm, have been identified in the United States, with possible sources of contagion from vegetables from local farms, according to recent reports.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC warns the population not to eat raw snails, slugs, shellfish, or vegetables. It is also recommended to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before consuming them.
The parasite thrives best in hot climates and has been found significantly in the United States, primarily throughout Florida, although it is possible to contract it anywhere in the world, as was the case with two people in China who ate raw centipedes and became ill.