HI Creates Rat Lungworm Disease Joint Task Force

[terracore]

http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2016/0...ask-force/

HAWAII - The sickness, caused by a parasitic nematode found in snails and slugs, has hit Hawaii Island hardest, and Puna in particular. A 16 member task force has been assembled to fight back.

HAWAII – The state of Hawaii has established a Joint Task Force to combat the threat of rat lungworm disease in the islands.

The Hawaii State Department of Health and the East Hawaii Liaison to the Office of the Governor announced the formation of the task force today, in order to share scientific knowledge in the application of diagnostics, treatment, mitigation and public education activities.

The members of the task force are:

Wil Okabe (Facilitator), East Hawaii Governor’s Liaison Office
Robert Cowie, Ph.D., Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Robert Hollingsworth, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Sue Jarvi, Ph.D., School of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo
Jerry Kahana, Hawaii State Department of Agriculture
Kenton Kramer, Ph.D., Department of Tropical Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM)
John Martell, M.D., Hilo Medical Center
Marian Melish, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, Kapiolani Medical Center
Donn Mende, Research and Development, County of Hawaii
DeWolfe Miller, Ph.D., Tropical Medicine Microbiology and Pharmacology, JABSOM
Peter Oshiro, Sanitation Branch, DOH
Sarah Park, M.D., F.A.A.P., State Epidemiologist, DOH
Joanna Seto, Save Drinking Water Branch, DOH
Aaron Ueno, Hawaii District Health Office, DOH
Chris Whelen, Ph.D., State Laboratories Division, DOH
Jonnie Yates, M.D., Kaiser Permanente

Rat lungworm disease has hit Hawaii Island – and Puna in particular – hardest of all. The sickness is caused by a nematode; a roundworm parasite called Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The state says the parasitic nematode can be passed from the feces of infected rodents to snails, slugs and certain other animals, which become intermediate hosts for the parasite. Humans can become infected when they consume infected raw or undercooked intermediate hosts. Although some people who become infected don’t show any symptoms, others can be stricken with severe headaches, stiffness of the neck, tingling or painful feelings in the skin or extremities, low-grade fever, nausea, and vomiting. Temporary paralysis of the face and light sensitivity can also occur. The infection is also known to cause a rare type of meningitis (eosinophilic meningitis).

“Establishing a joint task force with local experts in the medical field and leaders in government will produce a set of best practices that be used to target rat lungworm disease not only on Hawaii Island, but on a statewide scale as well,” said Wil Okabe, East Hawaii Liaison to the Office of the Governor. “There is no specific treatment yet identified for this disease, so finding the best ways to prevent its spread and educate the public is crucial.”

ETA: formatting

[Punatic007]

Fabulous news!

[Kenney]

So glad this is happening, finally, and to see Dr Susan Jarvi's name on the Taskforce. She's been working on a test for Dengue and did Trials last year in Puna on 500 people I believe. Her personal interest is RLW. This isn't just a job to her. We're lucky to have her at UH Hilo.
We actually stand to benefit by a decision made by the Gov. Will wonders ever cease?

[Kapoho Joe]

quote:

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Originally posted by Kenney

So glad this is happening, finally, and to see Dr Susan Jarvi's name on the Taskforce. She's been working on a test for Dengue and did Trials last year in Puna on 500 people I believe.

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I was one of the 500 and have yet to hear back about the results.

[Kenney]

Correction. I meant to say Dr. Jarvi has developed a test for RLW, not Dengue.
KJ. I think the reason you haven't heard anything is bc the University and Grant allowed for testing testing blood of 500 (vs notification) of people in the high risk area of Puna.
Legally, notification requires medical personnel, not Pharmacists. They were hoping to get permission to notify people who wanted to be appraised of results of the test, but it would seem that didn't happen. You can always call Dr. Jarvi and get the scoop first hand. She is very generous with her time and hard earned knowledge.

[Kelena]

I was recently invited to dinner. It was well-presented and looked delicious. Halfway through, the hostess said "All of the greens are right from my garden!". It was all I could do not to look at my plate as if there were a buffo toad on it.

Perhaps Hawaii is doing this backwards. I'm wondering if it help if Hawaii hired and deployed more agricultural inspectors to nip these problems in the bud.

[kalakoa]

Perhaps Hawaii is doing this backwards.

It's standard operating procedure here.

if Hawaii hired and deployed more agricultural inspectors

...instead of cutting those positions to balance this years' budget?

[Chas]

Is the only way you can be sure you're not getting Puna lettuce to buy prepackaged supermarket (like Dole's) or McDonald's type salads? I assume these come from the mainland.

What about produce sold at KTA? Is that local or imported? Is there any way to know?

As much as I like to support local business, there's no way I want to take a chance on getting rat lungworm.