Florida
The Killer Giant Snail That Has A Florida Town Under Quarantine Explained
Topline
A South Florida county was put under quarantine on Tuesday after an infestation of the invasive giant African land snail was identified in the hopes of eradicating the dangerous mollusk, which can spread meningitis.
A giant African land snail in the palm of a hand.
Key Facts
Parts of Broward County Florida went under quarantine on Tuesday amid an infestation of the giant African land snail, which first appeared in the city of Miramar earlier this month.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said in a statement that under the quarantine—which encompasses 3.5 square miles—it’s illegal for residents to move the snails or a regulated item like plants, soil, debris, yard waste and building materials within or from the quarantine area without permission (they are able to leave their homes).
The statement also reports these snails can carry a parasite called rat lungworm, which is known to cause meningitis in humans, which can be deadly.
It’s illegal to import or own the giant African land snail in the U.S. because the species poses such a great risk to the country’s agriculture and human health, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture—in addition to parasites, the snails can carry salmonella and bacteria.
There are two treatment areas where snail bait is released, outlined by a map the department released—treatment includes a snail bait called metaldehyde-based molluscicide, which is safe for residential use.
These snails are very invasive and can cause a lot of damage to the ecosystem and pose a significant food security risk as they eat and contaminate hundreds of different plant species and building exteriors, like plaster, stucco and paint.
Fully grown adult giant African land snails are identified by their brownish, striped shells and can grow up to eight inches long and weigh over two pounds, New York Invasive Species Information reports.
Surprising Fact
The giant African land snail is so large that it’s disqualified from competing in the World Snail Racing Championships, National Geographic reports.
Key Background
The snails were declared eradicated twice in Florida. They first appeared in Miami in 1966 and over 18,000 snails and their eggs were destroyed by 1973. It took 10 years and $1 million to eradicate them, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. They were then reintroduced in 2011, and were completely eradicated in Broward and Miami County in 2021, a culmination of another decade-long battle which resulted in the destruction of 160,000 snails. State officials set a quarantine for Pasco County, north of Tampa, last summer after at least one confirmed sighting. This led to the capture of around 1,000 snails. These snails reproduce rapidly because each snail can lay up to 1,200 eggs a year. They are very invasive and one of the most damaging snail species in the world. They eat around 500 different plants, including cucumbers, peas, beans, ornamental plants and melons, and can also consume tree bark, stucco, paint on buildings and plaster. The snails are native to East Africa and thrive in warm, tropical climates.
Tangent
Parasitic meningitis, though less common than bacterial and viral meningitis, can be fatal and cause inflammation around the brain and spinal cord. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infection is typically caused by consumption of a contaminated animal or produce, and human to human spread is rare. The parasite can cause severe central nervous system and gastrointestinal damage in humans and a rare form of parasitic meningitis called eosinophilic meningitis (EM). Symptoms of parasitic meningitis include nausea, stiff neck, vomiting, headache, confusion and eye sensitivity to light. Those with EM might experience a low-grade fever, tingling or pain in the skin, weakness or paralysis, a coma, loss of coordination or death. There isn’t a specific treatment for EM, but medication may be given to ease the symptoms, like pain medicine for headaches.
Further Reading
Fungal Meningitis Outbreak In Mexico Kills 2 After Cosmetic Surgeries. Here’s What We Know—And Symptoms And Treatment. (Forbes)