Giant African snails may seem slow and harmless animals, even unappetizing to some. But in fact, it’s “one of the most harmful snails in the world and a potential risk to human health,” according to US officials who are on the hunt for this invasive species.
“They are dangerous to our health because they carry parasites (Angiostrongylus cantonensisFlorida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in an interview with reporters earlier this month that it causes meningitis in humans.
“They also consume at least 500 different plants, making them a clear threat to our agricultural and natural areas.”
Specially-trained sniffing dogs and at least 30 employees are tearing through Florida gardens to eradicate this invasive species.
Since the threat was detected in June, authorities have caught more than 1,400 dead and live snails in Pasco County, according to local media.
Giant African snails reach sizes of up to 20 centimeters and multiply rapidly.
“A giant African snail can lay up to 2,000 eggs a year,” Jason Stanley, a biologist at Florida’s Department of Agriculture, told AFP news agency.
threat to humans
But are people also at risk? Yes, experts say.
These snails often harbor mouse lungworms, which, if ingested by humans, can reach the brain and cause meningitis (infection of the membranes that cover the brain).
Image: GETTY IMAGES
“They don’t normally affect humans. But if they accidentally enter humans, these parasites can disappear and go to places where they can do a lot of damage, such as the eyeballs or even the brain,” says William Kern. Professor of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida (USA).
A quarantine zone has been established in the city of New Port Richey: No plants can be removed from the area to prevent the snails from spreading further. To prevent infection, even sniffing dogs are trained not to put snails in their mouths.
Image: GETTY IMAGES
Has this happened before?
Ditto.
The first invasion took place in the 1960s. It took seven years and a million dollars to put an end to the problem. The second took place in 2010. Ten years later the snails were destroyed at a stratospheric cost of US$23 million.
Authorities can only declare the area snail-free after two years without new detections.
Some people in Europe keep these snails as pets, but in the US it is illegal to keep them without a license. Officials and experts suspect the current infestation is due to people trading snails as pets.
“It’s very possible that they were brought in as pets by someone. The ones we found in Pasco County have white skin instead of the usual gray color,” Kern told the BBC.
The snails originated in the African countries of Kenya and Tanzania, but are now found in many parts of the world, including South and Southeast Asia.
“This mollusk is now resident on many islands in the Caribbean, most of South America, and has more recently been introduced to Costa Rica,” says the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Inedible
Authorities in Florida are now asking people to report the presence of these snails.
“If you see one of these snails, don’t touch it. Call us. They carry diseases like meningitis,” says commissioner Nikki Fried.
There is also a warning for those who prefer to taste.
“The important thing is not to eat them. This is not a snail to be fried in butter, oil and garlic.”
– This text was published at https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/geral-62330986.
source: Noticias
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