If a friend dares you to eat a slug, say no; or you might end up paralyzed. In 2010 Australian 19-year old Sam Ballard was dared by his friends to eat a slug. After eating the slug, he became weak and complained of severe pain in his legs. It was soon discovered that he had developed Rat lung worm’s disease.
A lung worm parasite Angiostronjilus cantonensis is often ingested by slugs via rat poop. Although most cases of this disease are mild, Ballard experienced catastrophic damage. He went into a paralytic coma and was comatose for 420 days.
According to a CNN report “He woke up paralyzed, unable to eat without a tube or move without intense effort. He required 24-hour care, seven days a week.” On November 4, Ballard past away surrounded by 20 of his close friends and family members.
