African giant snails may spread meningitis, experts warn

KOCHI: The growing presence of African giant snails can cause health problems in addition to damaging crops, health experts have warned. Contact with the mucus secreted by the snails could allow larvae that cause meningitis to enter the body. Young children are particularly vulnerable. The snails can also cause itching and infections.

The larvae can travel through the bloodstream and cause inflammation in the brain and the membranes surrounding it. High fever, severe headache and vomiting are among the common symptoms. Health experts have urged people to watch for these symptoms, particularly if African giant snails are found in their surroundings.

The infection is caused by rat lungworm, a parasite found in rats. Snails can become infected when they feed on rat faeces containing the parasite.

African giant snails are also known to cause extensive damage to kitchen gardens and crops.

Avoid contact and keep surroundings clean

• Do not touch the snails without wearing gloves. They can be driven away by applying salt or a copper sulphate solution. Measures should also be taken to prevent rats from multiplying.
• Keep the house and its surroundings clean.
• Killing the snails alone may not be enough, as their eggs can remain protected in the soil for a long time. A snail can lay up to 500 eggs at a time.
• Wash vegetables thoroughly before consuming them.

How to get rid of them

Dig a pit about one-and-a-half feet deep in the soil and fill it with fermented fruit or pineapple mixed with jaggery and yeast. The snails attracted to the mixture can then be killed by sprinkling salt over them. The pit should be covered afterwards.

“Both snails and rats must be kept away. Anyone who develops symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.”

- Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, State IMA Research Cell Convenor