May 2017 - East Maui Rat Lungworm

May242017 by Lauraine Ayers-BrielNo Comments

Hana subdivision semi-slug sightings

[caption id="attachment_189" align="alignleft" width="225"] 2 adult semi-slugs on stalk of banana plant and egg cluster / "clutch" beneath them = approx 20 eggs[/caption] Requesting residents of Hana subdivision to report sitings of semi-slug Parmarion to email address: Kapiabotanicals@gmail.com [caption id="attachment_190" align="alignright" width="168"] "Juvenile semi-slug," 2 day old hatchling from clutch -- on Lincoln's neck[/caption]

May192017 by Lauraine Ayers-Briel1 Comment

Protocol for safe water storage ~ by Chris Baz

Food Safety, Vector Control

WATER STORAGE AND CATCHMENT TANK SAFETY 1. Make sure water tank cover is totally tight on the top edge of the tank with no tears in the mesh or open places from the outside into the water. Watch out for anything compromising the seal of the cover to the tank top edge. You may need to redo the overflow system or incoming water supply. 2. If in doubt about the tank cover sealing to the top edge put a 1/8" aircraft cable around the cover to the tank and tighten it to the body of the tank with turnbuckles. You will need a tank level indicator to see the water level if the tank. 3. Make sure there is a screen between the roof gutters and tank (we supply debris…

May182017 by Lauraine Ayers-BrielNo Comments

Hana’s Do-It-Yourself Battle Against Rat Lungworm ~ by Tad Bartimus

Food Safety, In the news, RLW Communication

Hana’s public school is closing its agricultural fields, trimming back jungle around the campus and launching an education campaign to control the spread of the parasite. READ> http://www.civilbeat.org/2017/04/tad-bartimus-hanas-do-it-yourself-battle-against-rat-lungworm/

May182017 by Lauraine Ayers-BrielNo Comments

Rat Lungworm Disease in East Maui ~ by Chad Meyer MD

Diagnosis and Treatment, Food Safety, RLW Communication, RLW Educational Material, Vector Control

Fortunately dengue virus did not become established in east Maui as a result of the 2001 dengue fever outbreak. Effective interventions included community responses to decrease mosquito breeding sites, and a vigorous campaign by local public health personnel and resources from CDC Atlanta and Puerto Rico. It is also worth noting that dengue fever outbreaks generally occur in crowded urban settings and that rural conditions in east Maui were in our favor. (more…)

May182017 by Lauraine Ayers-BrielNo Comments

Effective response needs to be at state level

In the news, RLW Communication, RLW Educational Material, Uncategorized

While east Maui is currently in focus, windward Hawaii Island has been strugling with this since 2004 (first evidence of semislug Parmarian) and 2005 (first cluster of human Angiostrongylis / rat lung worm infections). Ongoing and future goals should include prevention (or best efforts at containment) of Parmarian infestations of Kula and upcountry Maui, and Moloka'i, and Lana'i and Kauai. This is an emerging infectious disease disaster largely precipitated by human relocation of snails from Africa and South America (as food sources and aquarium pets) and redistribution of infected rats thru cargo ships across the Pacific basin and beyond. Best response should coordinate existing East Maui and Hawaii Island resources. There is much strength in our two communities colaborating. We can live safely if we think through our interventions. A…

May32017 by EastMauiRLW Admin2 Comments

This is a force with a task

Updates From the Field

Education, prevention, research and vector control are the goals of this task force. Because fast response is imperative to greatly reducing the effects of this disease in our community, we are preceding Agency and Department support and coordinating action in response to Rat Lungworm Disease. Success will require participation so, if you live in East Maui, expect to hear from one of us about all the the ways you can participate.

May12017 by Lauraine Ayers-BrielNo Comments

We’ll stop by with a kit

Updates From the Field

May12017 by Lauraine Ayers-BrielNo Comments

Prevention

Updates From the Field

Prevention and control of the disease is important to avoid the disease from spreading. • Control the rodent population by using appropriate traps. • Avoid eating raw or undercooked snails or slugs, which may be in vegetables or on fruits. • Thoroughly wash and inspect fresh produce and vegetables, especially if eaten raw. • Eliminate snails and slugs near houses and in the garden. Do not handle slugs/snails! With designated utility chopsticks or tongs. • Dispose of snails and slugs in a solu-tion of 15% salt water in a container with tight fitting lid.