News Rat lungworm disease: 3 new cases of potentially debilitating parasite confirmed in Hawaii May 24, 2019May 24, 2019Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAYComments Off on Rat lungworm disease: 3 new cases of potentially debilitating parasite confirmed in Hawaii Three visitors to Hawaii's Big Island were infected with rat lungworm, a potentially debilitating parasite that affects the brain and spinal cord.