How Invasive Snails Impact Our Environment and Threaten Your Health

Mystery snail

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is warning people to be careful when they’re out on the water. They’ve found that invasive snails like the apple and mystery snails can carry a parasite that could make people sick.

A recent study looked at these two snail types across Georgia. Researchers discovered a low presence of rat lungworm, a parasitic worm, in both species. This worm can infect humans if they eat the snails or slugs raw or not fully cooked. Although getting sick is rare, in extreme cases it could lead to a serious condition known as eosinophilic meningitis, which has serious and even deadly outcomes. The good news is that the parasite doesn’t multiply in humans, and you can’t pass it to others.

Before this study, rat lungworm was only found in Georgia once before, in rats near the Atlanta Zoo in 2019. Finding it in snails is new for the state. This highlights the need to control invasive species to protect both health and local waters.

It’s important to note that both apple and mystery snails are illegal to possess in Georgia as of 2023. They originally come from South America and Asia, but they are spreading in various states, including Georgia. The Department of Natural Resources is worried that people might still be moving these snails into local waters, or even handling and eating them.

Invasive species can harm ecosystems, damage boats, and compete with native wildlife. They may also pose health risks, as we’ve seen with the recent findings.

Preventing the introduction of invasive species is crucial. Here are a few simple steps you can take:

• Wash your boat, trailer, and fishing gear after every trip.
• Don’t dump your aquarium into natural water bodies.
• Avoid releasing non-native species into local waters.

For more information about invasive snails and to report sightings, check out GeorgiaWildlife.com/ans. If you want details on rat lungworm and its health implications, visit the CDC’s page on the topic at Rat Lungworm Disease (Angiostrongylus).

Apple snail eggs