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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Stephanie Convery

What is rat lungworm disease and why are cases rising in dogs in Australia?

a slug
Rats infected with rat lungworm disease excrete larvae in their faeces, which is then ingested by snails and slugs. Dogs and people are most likely to contract the parasite when they eat a raw snail or slug carrying the larvae, or unwashed vegetables contaminated with infected slime. Photograph: nilapictures/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Cases of rat lungworm disease have been increasing in dogs on Australia’s east coast over the past five years, according to new research from the University of Sydney. A very rare but sometimes deadly condition caused by worm larvae travelling up the food chain, the disease has been found in a small but increasing number of dogs in areas affected by heavy rain, and occasionally also in humans. So why are cases growing and how worried should we be?

Rat lungworm disease sounds disgusting. What exactly is it?

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