Following the infestation of deadly giant African land snails, a county in South Florida had to be put under quarantine.
Florida County Under Quarantine
According to Forbes, the giant African land snail made its first appearance in Miramar City in early June. Its infestation has led Broward County, Florida, to go under quarantine on Tuesday.
USA Today reports that these quarantine efforts concern hampering the spread of these creatures, based on a statement from the FDACS (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services).
The quarantine reportedly spans South University Drive and Pembroke Road in Broward County. As part of the implementation, removing the giant African land snail from designated areas and even relocating or moving it within the area is considered illegal. Such a policy also applied to other relevant plants, yard waste, compost, soil, and debris that could contain the creatures or their eggs.
The FDACS has released a map that shows that officials have put up two treatment areas inside the quarantine zone, CNN reports.
Per CBS News, the order will stay active while the plant division's officials treat the properties using metaldehyde-based molluscicide, which is a snail bait categorized by the US Environmental Protection Agency for residential purposes. The department hopes that this treatment will eradicate the pest.
This is not the first time an area has gone under quarantine due to the infestation of the giant African land snail. According to CNN, Paco County's New Port Richey area was put under quarantine after the creatures were detected.
According to the New York Post, Florida has eradicated the snail twice since the species was first discovered in 2010. The most recent endeavor was a 10-year effort in Miami-Dade County that ended in 2021 after roughly 170,000 snails were collected. The efforts cost around $23 million.
ALSO READ: Giant Meningitis-Causing African Snails Has Been Spotted Again in Florida; Should People Worry?
Giant African Land Snail
These creatures consume over 500 kinds of plants and also stucco, signs, and plastic trash cans. Their shells have pointed edges that are sharp enough to place holes in tires that run over them.
They have been dubbed one of the most damaging subtypes of mollusks in the entire world. Giant African land snails are distinctly large. In fact, adult snails can grow up to eight inches in length. They are also able to lay thousands of eggs at once.
What makes them particularly dangerous to humans is that they carry the rat lungworm parasite, which is known to cause meningitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, this condition involves the inflammation and infection of membranes and fluids that surround the spinal cord and brain. It further triggers other symptoms, including a fever, stiff neck, and headache.
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