Kept as a pet: East African giant snail is a health hazard

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They are carriers of at least 36 pathogens, two-thirds of which can also infect humans, according to the study in the journal ‘Parasites & Vectors’. These include rat lungworm, a dangerous parasite that can cause encephalitis in humans.

“Social networks are full of photos of people bringing the animal into contact with their skin or even their mouth,” said study leader Cleo Bertelsmeier, a professor at the University of Lausanne, in the university’s statement. It is believed that the snail’s mucus is good for the skin.

According to the university, the Lausanne research group has conducted the world’s first study that simultaneously quantifies the risk of invasion and disease transmission from the trade in this species as pets.

“Many people are not aware of the health risks”

To do this, the biologists used data from social networks to create a global map of the areas where the animal is in captivity and to assess the risk behavior of individuals.

«If you visit social networks, you quickly notice that there are many owners of giant snails as pets (mainly from Europe) and that many do not seem to be aware of the health risks to which they expose themselves or their children when faced with the snails, e.g. B. by placing them on their faces». Lead author of the study Jérôme Gippet said this in the statement.

The East African giant snail, also called the agate snail, is considered a particularly problematic invasive species. It is voracious, reproduces very quickly and poses a threat to agricultural land and biodiversity. Eating these invertebrates is also strongly discouraged. (SDA)

Source:Blick