This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed human. Howdy, Extraordinaries? Today we are talking about a

somewhat unpleasant parasite, and it's not just because I have a morbid fascination with parasites.

We had a couple listener requests to talk about rat lungworm in particular, and this is a

parasite that is spreading in its range and it's an

important human health concern. And I think more of us should be aware of it. So that's why we're

talking about it today. Thanks.

Trade and travel are transporting organisms all over the world.

Here in Virginia, on my walk today, I came across a variety of different species that are native to Asia and are just absolutely ubiquitous on my property.

For example, we have the Tree of heaven. We have Japanese stilt grass.

And recently, we've acquired the spotted lanternfly.

And don't get me wrong, no doubt people in Asia can rattle off a list of American species that now dominate their landscape as well.

This goes both ways.

And it's Kelly talking here, so you've got to know that I'm going to be bringing it back to parasites.

Trade and travel are moving parasites around as well.

In my area, the local cattle folks are struggling with what to do about the invasive Asian longhorn tick.

And on today's show, we're talking about a parasite that's spreading far and wide and poses a risk to human health in

particular. That parasite is a nematode known as rat lungworm, and we have parasite expert

Dr. Chelsea Wood on the show today to tell us all about it. Welcome to Daniel and Kelly's

invaded universe.

I'm Daniel.

I study particles and aliens, and my favorite parasite is no parasite.

Oh, I mean, I do have a favorite parasite, but my favorite parasite in people is no parasite.

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