U.S. scientists warned about an epidemic causing paralysis of the brain worms

People become infected with A. cantonensis when consume raw shellfish.

People become infected with A. cantonensis when consume raw meat of molluscs, crustaceans or frogs. Once in the brain, the worm causes a meningoencephalitis leading to disruption of the Central nervous system, and in severe cases, death. The larvae usually die, but they are formed around areas of necrosis of brain tissue. Symptoms include headaches, fever, vomiting, nausea, and a paralysis of the facial muscles and extremities.

In 2017, the doctors confirmed 16 cases of human infection with helminths in the Hawaiian Islands, although the epidemic over the last 20 years in this region there were only two cases of angiostrongylus. A. cantonensis were also found in the States of California, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida.

During the life cycle of the lung worm larvae fall into the intermediate hosts — snails, which are eaten by rats. In the body of rodents worms continues its development.

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