THE SPREAD OF ANGIOSTRONGYLIASIS : THE GLOBETROTTING RAT LUNGWORM

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is recognized as one of the major causes of eosinophilic meningitis. The dissemination at one time was believed to be by the spread of the snail Achatina tulica. Indeed this intermediate host may have been involved with the early spread in Asia; however, the spread of the parasite to other places probably has been due to the movement of rats. Public health authorities should be made aware that angiostrongyliasis might become a problem.