Deadly Snails Invading Houston; Carry Meningitis

[joseephuss]

http://fox2now.com/2013/05/08/deadly-snails-invading-houston-carry-meningitis/

Deadly Snails Invading Houston; Carry Meningitis

HOUSTON, TX – A Giant African Land Snail has been discovered in the backyard of a Houston home. Now, researchers are sending out a serious warning. Scientists say the snails ARE extremely dangerous and they spread a deadly disease. People are being warned not to touch them.

Dr. Autumn Smith-Herron is the director of the institute for the Study of Invasive Species at Sam Houston State University. She was notified about the snail in Houston and wants people to know they can get very sick if they handle one.

“They also carry a parasitic disease that can cause a lot of harm to humans and sometimes even death.” said Dr. Autumn Smith-Herron, “It causes Meningitis.”

 

[Longboysfan]

Cook them.

 

[arglebargle]

At least they won't chase you down....

I remember these same warnings when they were colonizing SE Asia decades ago. The parasites, though nasty, aren't that deadly, apparantly. They have a rat-snail cycle, and humans aren't their top priority. Just don't eat them and you'll probably be okay.

They can make a real creepy sound when you step on them though.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/10/rat-sized-snail-found-in-texas-but-dont-freak-out/

 

[muck4doo]

Are they crawling their way to Austin?

 

[Route 66]

That's ok. If I ever face one of these things in a dark alley, I'm ready...

 

[windward]

Sounds like a crappy B Horror movie. Something you would see on MST3K.