Florida authorities are extremely concerned about another invasion of the giant African land snail. Because of this, even one of the state’s cities was quarantined.
These snails can cause meningitis in humans
The giant African snail, or the East African giant Achatina snail (Achatina fulica) is capable of growing over 20 centimeters in length. This creature is extremely voracious, so it can cause damage to vegetation and agriculture.
But the most unpleasant and disturbing: these snails pose an immediate threat to human health. This is because they carry the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which causes meningitis in humans.
Giant snails are not easy to get rid of. It was first noticed in Florida in 1969, and it took local authorities about 6 years to completely exterminate it in the state. However, at the second discovery in 2011, the snails remained for a whole decade.
Quarantine in a small town
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Human Services on June 24 introduced a quarantine in the city of New Port Richey, Pasco County. And it works to this day. Officials are trying with all their might to destroy the invasive animal.
The state has a snail tracking hotline. Officials are asking residents not to touch these animals without gloves. Moreover, as part of the quarantine, it is “illegal to move the giant African land snail” and objects it has come into contact with without proper permission.
Whether officials will be able to cope with these annoying creatures is not yet clear.
