United States of America. Quarantine in Pasco County, Florida. The population of dangerous snails is increasing

Quarantine has been introduced in Pasco County, Florida due to a growing population of African land snails. These mollusks carry a dangerous parasite that causes meningitis. Its size exceeds 20 cm.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) confirmed that on June 23, the New Port Richey District of Pasco County Giant African land snails.

Snails are dangerous to humans because they They carry a parasite that causes meningitis. This species reproduces very quickly. It consists of about 2.5 thousand. eggs a year, so It is difficult to control the population. the individual Can grow up to 20 cm.

a look: Warsaw. They were hunting snails in a nature reserve. Three Vietnamese were arrested

likely The snails were smuggled into Pasco State and released into the wild. Their breeding is illegal in the United States, according to CNN.

A smuggling attempt into the US was thwarted at Atlanta airport in June 2019.

Pasco County Quarantine

Pasco County Quarantine It came into effect on June 25. Residents are prohibited from entering and leaving Snails, plants and the soil in which they liveoutside the designated area. It is not recommended to touch the snail without gloves due to the danger of the parasite.

a look: United States of America. More than 30 decomposing bodies were found in the funeral parlour

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services appreciates that It can take up to three years to eradicate the snail group.

This isn’t the first time Florida has dealt with the matter Invasion of giant snails. In 2011, a number of pests were discovered in Miami-Dade County. It was completely eliminated in 2021.