Florida was invaded by African giant snails, and human beings may be infected with meningitis after contact

Jimu Journalist Song Qingying

Intern Yang Xingnan

According to Fox News reports on July 5, a kind of African snail has been flooded in Florida, USA. This kind of snails carry a parasite, which may make humans infect meningitis. The department issued a warning.

African snail (picture source: CNN)

In late June, Pascow County reported that African snails appeared in the county. This snail is originally produced in East Africa and can grow up to 8 inches (about 20 cm). According to the US Centers for Disease Prevention (CDC), this snail may transmit meningitis to humans.

African snail length signal (picture source: CNN)

It is understood that the meningitis was first carried by a parasite called a mouse, and humans may be infected after eating snails with parasites or fruits or vegetables that have been touched by snails.

After suffering from this bacterial meningitis, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness or headache. Most patients will naturally heal, but in a few cases, they may lead to severe complications or even death.

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services issued alarm, suggesting that people can avoid contacting snails without wearing gloves to avoid being infected.

FDACS Public Information Director Christina Chiti said the big snails found in Pasco County may come from illegal pet trade.

In the United States, it is illegal to raise giant African snails as pets. This snail has a strong survivability and reproductiveness. They can not only eat more than 500 different plants, but also eat with paint and soil. Wherever it goes, local agriculture and environment will be harmed.

Earlier, this kind of African snail was also found in the Miami region, and its surface was brown. The African snails discovered in Pasco this time are white.

At present, the website of Florida Agriculture and Consumer Service said that they will use a special pesticide -snail bait polyethylene to control these snails. It inhibits snails to produce mucus, reduce their ability to digest and move, and let them dehydrate and die.

The U.S. State Department previously stated that the subordinate departments of Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services have begun to investigate and implement the area and will start cleaning up big snails on June 28. The isolation measures take effect on June 25, and residents are prohibited from moving or out of the isolation zone with related items including plants or soil.

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