HILO — A bill contributing $1.4 million to the fight against rat lungworm disease cleared its first committees at the state Legislature last week.
HILO — A bill contributing $1.4 million to the fight against rat lungworm disease cleared its first committees at the state Legislature last week.
The funding would be directed to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, which operates a “working group” aimed at tackling the disease, and other state departments for laboratory tests, research and outreach efforts.
Examples of how the money would be spent include starting a rural health outreach program, improving blood tests for identifying the disease, research on filters and other ways to protect catchment water sources, and creating an integrated pest management plan.
The Senate committees on Water, Land and Agriculture, and Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health both passed it without amendments Friday.
Sen. Russell Ruderman (D-Puna) introduced the bill in the Senate. Six Big Island House representatives signed a companion bill, which has not gone to committee yet.
Ruderman said some of the best research on the disease is happening at UH-Hilo, but mostly through grants and volunteer work. He said that work needs a source of dedicated funding from the state.
“What’s needed to fight this disease is research and education,” Ruderman said. “And we want to make that happen.”
According to the bill, more than 70 people in Hawaii contracted the disease between 2001 and 2014.
In its testimony, the University of Hawaii noted that infections can lead to permanent disability, coma and “even death and suicide.”
The disease originates in rats but also is carried by slugs and snails. It is spread to people by the consumption of unwashed or uncooked produce.
The bill, S.B. 2516, will next be heard by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.