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Giant Snails Invade Kerala Schools, Risking Children's Health
1 Jul
Summary
- Invasive giant snails infest school campuses, posing health risks to children.
- Snails carry rat lungworm parasite, potentially causing meningitis in young children.
- Kerala has seen a significant spread of these invasive snails since the 1950s.
Invasive giant African snails are rapidly infesting school grounds in Tirunavaya, Kerala, posing significant health concerns for students and staff. These snails, identified as Lissachatina fulica, are crawling over playgrounds, walls, and classrooms, leading to daily challenges for educational institutions. Teachers are instructing children to avoid contact with the snails due to potential health risks.
Health experts, including those from the Kerala Forest Research Institute, highlight that the snails can carry the rat lungworm parasite (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), which is known to cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans, particularly affecting children under 10. The snails' mucus may also trigger allergic reactions. Doctors in Kochi have reported an increase in meningitis cases among young children.
Native to East Africa, the giant African snail is classified as one of the world's worst invasive species. It was introduced to India in 1847 and first reported in Kerala in the 1950s. The infestation has seen major spread waves, with the snail now found in over 270 locations across Kerala by 2023. Beyond crop damage, these snails are disease vectors, carrying organisms like the rat lungworm.
