Understanding Rat Lungworm:

A guide to this rare parasitic infection

- 

Rat lungworm is caused by parasitic nematodes. It is the adult form found in rats.

They begin to host the worm and slowly the larvae move through the feces and later transfers to the slugs and snails that start to feed on them. This disease is most common in Pacific Islands, Australia and Asia. In 1993, it was reported that a child from New Orleans got the disease after consuming snail, however, there weren't many major health issues, as his symptoms went away in a span of a few weeks without treatment.

Eating infected snails or slugs can turn out to be an inconvenience for humans, since the symptoms can range from nausea, vomiting and even coma. People can become a victim to this infection if they consume raw snail or slugs that contain lungworm larvae. It can be present in lettuce (eating raw or unwashed foods) and even in soft drinks. The soft drinks can get contaminated by the substance excreted by the affected snails. Even pups can get infected with this parasitic disease if they unintentionally try to swallow or eat the infected snail or slugs.