FL Warns Of Meningitis-Laden Invasive African Snails

Tampa’s CBS affiliate reports:

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirms the detection of a giant African land snail in the New Port Richey area of Pasco County. If you’re wondering what harm a snail can do — it’s a lot.

This species of snail is known to consume at least 500 different types of plants. Not only will they eat through your backyard, but they could also be nibbling at your home too. The snails can eat the paint and stucco off of a home.

These mollusks can also bring serious health risks to humans. They can carry a parasite known to cause meningitis in humans. The snails shouldn’t be handled without gloves or proper sanitation procedures in place.

Read the full article.

The invasive snails have twice been considered to have been eradicated in Florida, most recently last year.

The giant African land snail, which can grow to the size of a fist and carry a parasite that causes meningitis, was declared eradicated from South Florida last year after a decade-long battle of people versus pests. They’re baaack. https://t.co/lsGs4A8sbz

— NYT National News (@NYTNational) July 2, 2022

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirms the detection of a giant African land snail in the New Port Richey area of Pasco County. https://t.co/aNm59vWWBz

— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) June 29, 2022

Florida warns residents of giant African land snail that may cause meningitis in humans https://t.co/inBTCkiCIG

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 6, 2022