In Florida, parasites are spread that cause brain infection
80
views
Parasitic Roundworm, known as pulmonary nematode rats, native to Hawaii and tropical areas. Despite the fact that it has already been found several times in the south of Florida, researchers from the University of Florida call it an alarming “find”.
A parasite that can cause meningitis in humans and animals spreads throughout the state of Florida, and health officials fear that it can capture other states in the southern United States.
Parasitic Roundworm, known as pulmonary nematode rats, native to Hawaii and tropical areas. Despite the fact that it has already been found several times in the south of Florida, researchers from the University of Florida call it an alarming “find”.
loading...
In a study published in PLoS ONE, scientists tested rats and snails from 18 counties across the state. Samples from Hillsborough, Orange, Alachua, St. John’s and Leon had a positive result.
“The reality is that the parasite is probably in more countries than we assume, and it is also probably more prevalent in the southeastern United States,” says Heather Stockdale Walden, lead author and associate professor at the University of Florida, Department of infectious diseases and pathology. “The ability of this historically subtropical nematode to thrive in a more temperate climate is alarming.”
The worm can cause serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract or central nervous system in humans and animals, including livestock or pets. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an adult form of the parasite is found only in rodents that transmit parasite larvae through faeces. The parasite can be transmitted to snails and slugs that swallow the larvae.
The worm poses a danger to people who swallow it, using raw or undercooked snails or freshwater shrimp, infected with mucus, crabs or frogs infected with larvae. It can also be transferred through raw products containing a small snail or mucus. The parasite can not be transmitted from person to person.
Some people who are infected do not experience symptoms. Others suffer from headaches, neck tightness, tingling of the skin, low fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Loading...