Hawaii's Rat Lungworm
 

Our family is preparing to leave for a trip to the Big Island and recently heard about rat lungworm (a parasitic infection mainly transferred through raw fruits & vegetables). It seems to be a growing problem on the Islands. Questions for recent visitors: did you take extra precautions while traveling and eating in restaurants? In restaurants, did you find that there is a focus on food safety & prevention? Thank you!

The disease has been endemic for more than FIFTY YEARS.

I think you'd be best advised to read the recent report of just exactly how this "increase" in cases came about.

I am not sure any "focus" on food safety and prevention in a restaurant is going to be all that visible to you but perhaps I am misunderstanding what you are actually asking.

Thank you Dukey1. I realize that rat lungworm has been present in Hawaii for hundreds of years. The recent increase in infection is due to the rapid growth of the Southeast Asian Semislug population that for various reasons can transmit the parasite more efficiently. Because of this and the fact that there have been recent cases of serious illness in the news, I wondered if there is now more talk of food safety (and more precautions being taken) on the Islands. I understand that from your perspective the answer is "no". I appreciate your response.

We just returned from Maui two weeks ago. I noticed no extra precautions at restaurants but I doubt the average diner would. We bought produce from Costco and local grocery stores. A friend who lives there said they are aware of it and just wash anything locally grown really well.

just wash and double wash any fruits or veggies you might buy. Hopefully the restaurants are doing that. we were on Kauai in May and had no problems.