KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica has been placed on high alert for the fast-growing, invasive, Giant African Snail, following a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services June 23, 2022 report, confirming the discovery of Giant African Snails (GAS) at Pascoe County, in the state.

This pest is not present in Jamaica, however, it has been found throughout the Caribbean in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Netherlands Antilles, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries said in a statement on Friday, that through its Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch, the Ministry is heightening collaboration with the Jamaica Customs Agency, the JDF Coast Guard, the Passport Immigration, Citizenship Agency, and all Jamaicans in order to minimise the risk of entry of this devastating pest.

The Giant African Snail can cause serious economic damage to both the agricultural and tourism sectors by feeding directly on the stucco of buildings, vegetables, fruit trees, field crops, forest trees and ornamentals.

These snails also pose a health risk to humans and livestock because it is a vector for the parasite rat lungworm, which can cause meningitis. One snail can produce 500 eggs in one laying and can live up to 10 years.

The GAS and eggs can spread long distances and can enter the country by deliberate introduction through the illegal pet trade, by hitchhiking on shipping containers, machinery, crates and on planting material.

“If you think you have seen the Giant African Snail, do not crush or kill the snails, rather call or WhatsApp photographs to the Pest Alert hotline at 876-442-0198, or RADA at 1888-ASK-RADA (1888-275-7232) or the Research and Development Division at 876-983-2267,” the Agriculture Minister urged.