HI SB272

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Hilo for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 for programs related to prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Funds support development of integrated pest management plans, educational outreach to healthcare providers and the public, monitoring of invasive mollusk hosts, and laboratory testing of deworming treatments and produce wash effectiveness.

Requires development of improved diagnostic blood tests, studies on long-term recovery from the disease, and educational curricula for school personnel, farmers, and rainwater catchment users.

University of Hawaii at Hilo must collaborate with the Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, and the governor's joint rat lungworm task force to create a statewide prevention and eradication plan.

Appropriated funds cannot be released until the University of Hawaii at Hilo submits a comprehensive plan to the legislature describing specific strategies and objectives for rat lungworm disease prevention and eradication.