A Florida county is under quarantine due to the discovery of a fast-growing population of invasive giant African land snails.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed there were giant African land snails in the New Port Richey area of Pasco County on June 23, according to FDACS' website.The snails pose a health risk to humans because they carry a parasite called rat lungworm, which can cause meningitis, Christina Chitty, a public information director at FDACS, told CNN.They can produce up to 2,500 eggs per year, so the population is difficult to control.
Read MoreChitty said the department is currently investigating the population and determining how many snails are in Pasco County. The snails are native to east Africa and can grow up to 8 inches long.The quarantine took effect June 25 and prevents residents from moving the snail or related items, like plants and soil, in or out of the designated quarantine area.
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