Florida town under quarantine to eliminate invasive snail infestation.

A South Florida Town Under Quarantine to Eradicate Invasive Giant African Land Snails

A South Florida town is currently facing a major threat from invasive giant African land snails. These snails, which can grow up to eight inches long, pose a danger to agriculture, infrastructure, and even humans.

Quarantine Ordered to Combat the Threat

Earlier this month, the slugs were detected in Broward County’s Miramar community. In response, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has ordered a quarantine to contain the situation.

According to the department, these snails are considered “one of the most damaging snails in the world,” as they consume over 500 different types of plants. This poses a significant risk to Florida’s $8 billion agriculture industry. Additionally, they can cause damage to stucco, plastic, recycling bins, street signs, and even blow out tires with their shells.

However, the threat doesn’t stop there. These snails also carry a parasite called rat lungworm, which can cause meningitis in humans. This disease can lead to severe complications such as paralysis, coma, or even death. Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment available for this type of meningitis.

To combat the problem, a quarantine order has been put in place, making it illegal to move the snails or any related materials within or from the defined quarantine area without a compliance agreement.

The state’s Department of Agriculture is taking action to eradicate the snails by using snail bait and a safe pesticide for local plants.

The origin of these snails in Broward County remains unclear. However, authorities suspect that the worldwide spread of these snails is linked to the pet trade. It is possible that someone brought them to the U.S. as a pet, although importing giant African land snails without a permit is illegal.

The last sighting of these snails in Florida was in 2022, north of Tampa, where over 1,000 were spotted. It took more than ten years and cost over $1 million to successfully eradicate them through an extensive effort that began in the 1960s.

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