The Rat Lungworm Parasite: A Threat to People, Animals and the Environment

The Rat Lungworm Parasite: A Threat to People, Animals and the Environment


Common in Southeast Asia and the tropical Pacific islands, the rat lungworm is a parasite that can cause severe central nervous system disease in people and in animals. The parasite has been found in gastropods as well as more recently in invasive Cuban treefrogs in Florida. How worried should we be? On this show, Dr. Heather Walden, a parasitologist, will discuss how the rat lungworm is transmitted from host to host, why the discovery of new hosts for the parasite is a cause for concern, and what you can do to minimize the chance that you or your pets might become infected.

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