US town placed under quarantine by massive African snails

• Residents of Pasco County, north of Tampa, ordered to quarantine giant African land snails.
• Florida’s agriculture department calls the invasive species “one of the most damaging” mollusc subtypes.
• The snails carry a parasite that can cause meningitis in humans.

State officials had to issue a quarantine order for inhabitants of Florida’s Pasco County; which is located north of Tampa along the gulf coast; last week due to the reemergence of an invasive snail species. Authorities acted after learning that a community gardener in Port Richey; had discovered a species of mollusk infamous for its destructiveness; the gigantic African land snail.

Once the quarantine requirement was in place; a component of Florida’s department of agriculture that oversees pest control; reportedly started to search the area for new snail sightings.

Tuesday marked the beginning of the control unit’s baited pesticide treatment of the area. The enormous African snail is “one of the most harmful” mollusk species in the world; according to Florida’s agricultural authority.

Due to its abnormally big size and capacity for massive reproduction; the creature may swiftly infiltrate its surroundings and pose a threat to the environment; and infrastructure due to its voracious hunger for at least 500 different plants; as well as paint and stucco.

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A single snail may lay millions of eggs at once when it is four months old; and each one can develop into an adult that is 8 inches long.

The snails are adaptable, having the ability to survive for a year while “inactive” and buried in dirt; to protect themselves from harsh weather. Experts warn that they “cling to cars and machinery”; as well as rubbish, to “travel large distances.”

They also pose significant health hazards to people; because they spread the rat lungworm, a parasite that can lead to meningitis.

When handling them, it is advisable that people put on safety equipment; such as gloves.

There have been instances in Florida where giant African land snails have wreaked devastation. Officials have linked infestations going back to the 1960s to escaped house pets; and illegal importations by religious organisations; even though they are non-native residents of the state; according to the Tampa Bay Times.

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