Florida Being Invaded by African Giant Snails That Often Carry “Rat Lungworm” Parasite

Florida Being Invaded by African Giant Snails That Often Carry “Rat Lungworm” Parasite

After enduing an advertisement from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Florida now has to deal with another pest.

Hundreds of giant African land snails have turned up on the state’s Gulf Coast and threaten to destroy a vast array of plantlife.

The snails pose a threat Florida’s environment, so officials mapped out a quarantine zone in New Port Richey to try to get rid of the pests.

“We are so lucky to have an experienced team ready to prevent, detect, and treat invasive threats,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Let me assure you, we will eradicate these snails. We have done it twice before, and we will do it again – it is not a question of if, but when.”

The Division of Plant Industry said it’s team of 30 people collected 1,016 snails from 29 properties. The largest one was 4.5 inches, but they can grow up to 8 inches big. The snails have a light colored cream body with a dark brown shell..

Part of the reason for the concern about the African Giant Snail is that it carries parasites that can cause serious disease in humans, pets, and livestock.

The snail, native to East Africa, is one of the most damaging in the world, eating at least 500 different types of plants, tree bark, and even paint and stucco on houses, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website said.

The gastropod, whose shell can grow to the size of a human fist, often carries a parasite known as rat lungworm that can transmit a type of meningitis whose symptoms include muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, fever and vomiting.

…Officials stressed the importance of not touching nor ingesting the snail to prevent infections.

“Most importantly, do no eat them. This is not a snail to be put on butter and oil and garlic. This is not something you want to touch. This is not something you want to eat,” Florida Department of Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said.

Florida has dealt with African Giant Snail invasions twise before. The most recent was a ten-year effort in Miami-Dade County that cost $23 million and ended in 2021 after collection of around 170,000 snails. It is thought that the snails have returned again as a result of the illegal international exotic pet trade or arriving hidden in cargo from overseas.

Greg Hodges, assistant director of the state Division of Plant Industry, said it is illegal to import or possess giant African land snails in Florida without a permit.

It is also illegal to move them from a quarantined area, such as the one in Pasco County, or to take away other material in the area such as soil, yard waste or building materials without state approval.

Around 1,000 snails have already been collected in the quarantine area, Mr Hodges said.

Anyone who spots a snail should not touch it, but instead call 888-397-1517 to report the find.

The homes involved will be treated with a molluscicide bait and snails are being collected by state workers aided by dogs trained to sniff them out.

At least they aren’t Murder Hornets. Murder hornets recently killed 5 people in France.

Killer hornets left five people dead in France and has been spotted to be heading towards the mainland of Southeast UK, based on reports on Tuesday, June 14.

…The fatalities in France were caused by anaphylactic shock caused by the lethal stings of Asian giant hornets.

Due to reported breeding grounds in the Channel Islands, beekeepers warned of a possible hornet invasion across the UK in an unspecified timeline.

Washington State is now making plans to track down these insects using drones.

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