African snails -   A hidden threat to health and environment

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African snails - A hidden threat to health and environment

Have you ever heard about the African snail? They are not the natives of India but have now invaded our country. It is causing serious health risks as well as other problems in India. It’s massive, and its population steadily increases during the rainy season, causing problems for health and the environment.

The first sightings of the African snail in India were reported in Kolkata, and since then, it has spread to Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. They are transported to India by various methods

  1. It is transported mainly via trade routes

  2. Accidental release in Kerala for study purposes

  3. Timber transportation to India

  4. Transported along with some ornamental plants

Health hazard

Majorly, African snails act as a carrier for vector for parasitic nematodes such as Angiostrongylus canthonensis and A. costaricensis, causing

  • Eosinophillic meningioencephalomengitis is a type of brain infection

  • Abdominal angiostongyliasis in humans.

Environmental and agricultural impact

The Snails infect the crops, posing a problem for the farmers. They feed on the crops and have a rapid breeding capacity. These are hermaphrodites where the male and female reproductive systems are together. The reproductive rate is 100% and they lay 500-600 eggs, making it difficult to control.

There should be public awareness and government initiatives to control the snails. These measures include destroying the snails and their eggs, avoiding close contact or handling them with bare hands, and preventing accidental ingestion.

Have you ever heard about African snails? Have you ever experienced such issues? Share your thoughts!

MBH/AB

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Yes, the spread of the African Giant Snail is genuinely concerning. It’s not just a nuisance, its role in transmitting parasitic infections and damaging crops makes it a serious public-health and agricultural issue. Since it breeds rapidly and thrives during the rainy season, awareness and proper control measures are crucial. Thank you for bringing attention to something that often gets overlooked but affects both people and the environment.

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The spread of African giant snails in India is a serious yet often overlooked public health and environmental concern. Their rapid reproduction, destructive feeding behaviour, and ability to transmit dangerous parasitic infections make them a significant threat to agriculture, ecosystems, and human wellbeing. The diseases linked to them, such as eosinophilic meningitis, highlight the urgent need for public awareness and coordinated control strategies. Effective management requires community participation, scientific monitoring, safe handling practices, and government-led eradication programs. Without strong intervention, these invasive snails can severely damage crop productivity and biodiversity. Awareness and prevention are essential before the situation escalates further.

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Informative

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Informative post, I was truly unaware that these snails could be so problematic and even about their origin

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