HI SB272

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Hilo for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 for programs, studies, and activities to prevent and eradicate rat lungworm disease caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Funds support 12 specific initiatives including developing integrated pest management plans, educational outreach to schools and healthcare providers, monitoring invasive mollusk hosts, laboratory testing of deworming treatments and water filtration systems, and improving diagnostic testing methods.

Requires the University of Hawaii at Hilo to 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 to the legislature a comprehensive plan describing specific strategies and objectives for the rat lungworm prevention programs.

Addresses documented public health threat with over 70 cases reported from 2001 to 2014 and additional cases in 2015, with individual treatment costs exceeding $1,000,000 and cases resulting in deaths and chronic disability.