Giant African Snail: a silent threat to public health and agriculture
Keywords:
Lissachatina fulica; Introduced Species; Eosinophilic Meningoencephalitis; Zoonosis; Public HealthAbstract
The giant African snail (Lissachatina fulica) is listed as one of the 100 most harmful invasive alien species in the world. Its rapid expansion in recent years, which now includes 13 Cuban provinces with active outbreaks in Villa Clara, Mayabeque, and Holguín, is a growing concern for human health and food security. This opinion piece analyzes the main morphological characteristics that allow for the identification of this species, the epidemiological risks associated with its handling and consumption, and the most effective control measures. It emphasizes the role of L. fulica as an intermediate host for nematodes of the genus Angiostrongylus, which cause eosinophilic meningoencephalitis and abdominal angiostrongyliasis, as well as their impact on agricultural crops, with losses that can reach 60% of production. It is concluded that early identification, proper management, and public education are essential tools for mitigating the effects of this pest, whose eradication requires a comprehensive approach that combines manual collection, drowning, deep burial of specimens, and the complementary use of metaldehyde.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Enrique Ramón Soto-Ramírez , Esteban Pérez-Peña
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