HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

474

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO RAT LUNGWORM DISEASE.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The department of health reported over seventy cases of rat lungworm disease caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis from 2001 to 2014.  Many more cases were reported in 2015, including at least two on Maui.  The disease has claimed lives and caused crippling chronic disability, and the cost for one severe case can exceed $1,000,000.  The Hawaii island rat lungworm disease working group has been formed at the Daniel K. Inouye college of pharmacy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and has been conducting research and educational outreach on the disease for the past four years.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii at Hilo for programs, studies, and activities related to the prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for programs, studies, and activities related to the prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease, including:

     (1)  Conducting laboratory testing to determine the effectiveness of deworming rats to reduce rat lungworm transmission;

     (2)  Conducting laboratory testing of a wide range of commercially available produce washes as well as other potential solutions;

     (3)  Conducting laboratory testing of commercially available filters and ultraviolet systems to determine effectiveness in catchment;

     (4)  Optimizing existing tests or developing new blood-based tests for rat lungworm diagnostics;

     (5)  Conducting and publishing a study on long-term recovery from rat lungworm disease;

     (6)  Researching and reviewing worldwide literature regarding rat lungworm disease case studies for comparison and contrast with cases of rat lungworm disease in Hawaii;

     (7)  Developing clinical guidelines regarding the risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term consequences of rat lungworm disease;

     (8)  Conducting a case study on individuals who contracted rat lungworm disease by ingesting kava; and

     (9)  Other related research, studies, and testing regarding the prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease;

provided that the appropriation shall be matched 1:1 between the State and anticipated sources of funding, including private sources and federal research grants; provided further that some of the appropriation shall be used to develop clinical guidelines regarding the risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term consequences of rat lungworm disease; provided further that some of the appropriation shall be used to conduct a case study on individuals who contracted rat lungworm disease by ingesting kava.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii at Hilo for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2112.


 


 

Report Title:

Rat Lungworm Disease; University of Hawaii at Hilo; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Hilo for testing, studies, outreach, research, and other activities related to the prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease.  (HB474 HD1)

 

 

 

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