Deadly Snails Carrying Rat Lungworm Parasites Spotted in North Carolina

Government officials in North Carolina advise the public against eating raw snails because they may be deadly and carry rat lungworm parasites.

Parasitic, Deadly Snails in North Carolina

This particular aquatic snail, which is classified as parasitic and lethal, was just discovered in North Carolina.

The Wildlife Resources Commission of North Carolina (NCWRC) said on Monday that in September, it discovered several breeding deadly Apple snails near the Lumber River in Lumberton. The state has never before seen concentrations of Apple snails like these. A worried person took pictures of what appeared to be Apple snail eggs, which informed authorities first. A North Carolina Wildlife Commission biologist quickly began gathering samples and sent them to The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, which confirmed receiving them.

Raw and Undercooked Dangers

These deadly and invasive South American Apple snails can spread severe infections to people and threaten a variety of aquatic plants. Although technically harmless on their own, apple snails can be deadly when infected with parasites like rat lungworm. They only seriously endanger people when they are eaten raw or undercooked, though. Additionally, the poison in their eggs might result in eye and skin rashes. Plant species are particularly at risk from apple snails. They are grazers and quickly eat plants, ruining aquatic animals' food sources and homes.

In the United States, apple snails are nothing new. Hawaii, Florida, and Louisiana are just a few of the states with established populations.

The public is encouraged to report sightings of Apple snails, drowning or crushing its eggs.

Apple Snails and Their Bright Pink Eggs

The bright pink eggs that Apple snails lay are the simplest method to recognize them. In her lifetime, a female can produce thousands of eggs. She produces enormous clusters of up to 700 eggs every five to fourteen days, on average. These bright pink eggs are frequently discovered floating on the water's surface or fastened to trees, vegetation, logs, and buildings that are above the water.

Apple snail adults grow into large sizes of 2 to 4-inch-wide aquatic snails that are deadly and often parasitic. They can stretch up to 6 inches wide and long. The dark bands on the shells of these golden-brown snails are also an identifiable feature, although they appear in a variety of colors, the majority are golden or yellow-brown.

Also Read: New Snail Species Resemble Margarita Drink Color, Found in Florida's home of Citrus Margaritas 

Carriers of Parasitic Rat Lungworm

The aquatic apple snail, the first recorded population of the South American species in the state, was discovered along the Lumber River near Lumberton, according to a report from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission on October 2.

The snail has been seen eating amphibian eggs, and its grazing habits can harm the flora that other native species rely on. The snails may also pose health dangers to people since they may be carriers of rat lungworm, which can be lethal if consumed raw or undercooked.

Boaters are advised to thoroughly dry all equipment and never move fish, plants, or other organisms from one body of water to another to prevent the spread of species like the apple snail. They are also reminded to clean equipment of aquatic plants, animals, and mud. In addition, draining water from boats, live wells, bait buckets, and other equipment, is also another way to stop the spread of the deadly snails.

Related Article: Invasive Apple Snails Lay Thousands of Egg Masses in Man-Made Louisiana Canal