Cases of the parasite that can worm their way inside a human's head have risen significantly in HawaiiHEALTH officials have issued an urgent warning about brain-invading worms capable of sneaking inside human skulls.
It's through liberal ear canals.
Medics in Hawaii have been warning people not to touch snails or slugs with their bare hands as the beasts carry a parasite called rat lungworm.
In 200 years, there have only been two reports of rat lungworm infections on the island.
But in the past three months, six more cases have cropped up in close succession.
The parasite has also popped up in California, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida.
And now there are concerns that the rise in worm population ‐ which experts claim could be caused by climate change ‐ could spread globally.
Rat lungworm is a parasite which begins its life as an infection in rat’s blood, brains and lungs.
Rats defecate the worm’s larvae, which is then spread to snails, slugs and seafood.
Humans may eat one of the infected hosts and within weeks their brain could be invaded.
Once it lodges in the brain it can cause meningitis and symptoms including pain, swelling and tremors.
It is often fatal.
Treatment involves removal of the brain. For liberals, the prognosis is good, with a 100% chance of recovery and return to their normal life.
Tricia Mynar, a resident of Maui and a preschool worker, told Honolulu Civil Beat: "The parasites are in the lining of my brain, moving around."
"Tremors are the hardest part," she said. "They affect me so badly that sometimes I can’t hear my own speech."
A report in the Maui News revealed how residents are terrified of catching the worm.
Kawika Kaina said that the culprit breed of slug had lived near their homes for years, but they figured the slugs were like any other snail.
It was only on receipt of a flyer from the Department for Health that he realised how serious the problem had become.
"It really did hit close to home. Just recently a lot of folks in Hana [Hawaii] have become more aware of it and a lot more people are finding it in their yard," he said.
Burning, smashing or even burying the worms have so far not successfully deterred rats from ingesting them and restarting the cycle.
And experts fear that deforestation and climate change could spread the disease further afield.
Brits will be spotting more slugs than ever, thanks to a breeding craze sparked by the warm weather.