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Brain-infecting worms, known as 'rat lungworm,' detected west of Texas for the first time
Researchers confirmed rat lungworm in 3 of 64 wild rats and 7 of 10 opossums, indicating the parasite is now endemic in southern California wildlife.
- Researchers at the San Diego Zoo announced this month that Angiostrongylus cantonensis was first detected in a parma wallaby at the San Diego Zoo, marking the first U.S. detection west of Texas.
- Researchers say the parasite arrived through movement of infected animals from endemic regions and established locally via a rodent-to-gastropod lifecycle involving rodents and gastropods.
- From January through February 2025, researchers tested 64 dead wild rats, finding three positives, while wildlife rehab reported illnesses in ten Virginia opossums with seven positive and six juveniles diagnosed at Project Wildlife, Ramona.
- Doctors and veterinarians are advised to consider rat lungworm when diagnosing CNS disease, as the parasite can cause severe illness despite low transmission risk, authorities say.
- With detections in opossums and rats, study authors including Sho Nakagun say the parasite poses a `substantial risk to humans` and `could be considered endemic` in San Diego County.
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Rat lungworm found in San Diego opossums, rats and zoo animal
Rat lungworm, a parasite that can infect certain animals and humans and prove fatal, was found in wild opossums, rats and a wallaby at the San Diego Zoo, according to a new study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not previously believed to be established in California, the rat lungworm cases were identified in multiple animals primarily last year, and as early as 2023, according to the study published this month i…
·San Diego, United States
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abc10 Sacramento+24 Reposted by 24 other sources
Brain-infecting worms, known as 'rat lungworm,' detected west of Texas for the first time
Brain-eating worms known as "rat lungworm" have been found west of Texas first time on record. Here's what to know/ (CDC)
·Sacramento, United States
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Total News Sources30
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center27Last UpdatedBias Distribution93% Center
Bias Distribution
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C 93%
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