HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2506

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

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 has reported over seventy cases of rat lungworm disease caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis from 2001 to 2014.  There were many more cases in 2017, including at least eleven on Hawaii island, six on Maui, and one on Oahu.  The disease has claimed lives and caused crippling chronic disability, and the cost of treatment for one severe case can exceed $1,000,000.

     The purpose of this Act is to create a statewide rat lungworm disease working group to collaborate on research and other activities related to the prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease, both on Hawaii island and across the State.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established the statewide rat lungworm disease working group to collaborate on research and other activities related to the prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease, both on Hawaii island and across the State.

     (b)  The statewide rat lungworm disease working group shall be composed of the following members:

     (1)  A representative of the Daniel K. Inouye college of pharmacy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo;

     (2)  A representative of the department of health;

     (3)  A representative of the department of agriculture;

     (4)  A physician who is actively treating rat lungworm disease in a patient or patients, to be selected by the governor; and

     (5)  A veterinarian, to be selected by the board of veterinary examiners, established by section 471-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (c)  The statewide rat lungworm disease working group shall be administratively attached to the office of the lieutenant governor.

     SECTION 3.  (a)  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 research and other 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 the transmission of rat lungworm disease;

     (2)  Creating and developing best practices for vector control for rat lungworm disease and semi-slug proliferation;

     (3)  Creating and developing clinical guidelines and best practices for physicians and health care workers;

     (4)  Creating and distributing educational multimedia material for the general public, including residents and visitors, regarding the prevention of rat lungworm disease as well as the risk factors for, diagnosis of, treatment of, and long-term consequences of rat lungworm disease;

     (5)  Conducting a case study on individuals who contract rat lungworm disease by ingesting kava,

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

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

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

     (9)  Creating and distributing educational multimedia material for the general public, including residents and visitors, regarding the prevention of rat lungworm disease.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the statewide rat lungworm disease working group for the purposes of this Act.

     (b)  No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2019, the working group shall submit to the legislature a comprehensive plan describing its activities, including research and education, to prevent and eradicate rat lungworm disease in the State.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2112.

 

 

Report Title:

Rat Lungworm Disease; Statewide Rat Lungworm Disease Working Group; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds to the Statewide Rat Lungworm Disease Working Group for research and education for the prevention, treatment, and eradication of rat lungworm disease.  Requires a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2019.  (HB2506 HD1)

 

 

 

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