Invasive Giant African Snails Infest Kerala School Campuses, Risking Child Health
The invasive giant African snail (Lissachatina fulica) is spreading rapidly across Tirunavaya panchayat in Kerala and has now entered school campuses, raising serious health concerns for children. Teachers and students report that the snails are crawling over playgrounds, walls, and classrooms, creating a daily nuisance.
Health experts warn that these snails can carry the rat lungworm parasite (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), which can cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans. The snail's mucus may also trigger allergic reactions. Children are particularly vulnerable because they are more likely to come into contact with the snails and less aware of the risks.
Dr. Keerthy Vijayan, who led a Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) study in collaboration with the University of Nottingham, the Natural History Museum in London, and the Environmental Agency in the UAE, emphasized the need for extra protection for children. 'Tirunavaya has faced this infestation for years. Children on school campuses are more likely to come into contact with the snails and their mucus, and they are least aware of the health risks,' she said.
Dr. Vijayan added that doctors at two major hospitals in Kochi have reported a surprising number of eosinophilic meningitis cases, mostly in children under 10. 'It is alarming in schools,' she said. 'Teachers, along with parents, should prevent snails from entering classrooms and bathrooms. Mesh screens can help block their entry.'
Residents have been using salt and tobacco-copper sulphate mixtures to kill the snails. Health workers also advise wearing gloves while handling them. Salman Karimpanakkal, a teacher and environmental activist, called on civic authorities to launch a coordinated drive to control the infestation before it worsens.
Native to East Africa, the giant African snail is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) among the world's 100 worst invasive species. Studies indicate it was introduced to India in 1847, reached Madras in the early 1900s, and was first reported in Kerala in the 1950s at Elapully, Palakkad. Major waves of spread followed in the 1970s and again in 2005.
By 2005, the snail was found only in Palakkad, Ernakulam, and Pathanamthitta districts. By 2022, it had spread to all 14 districts, and by 2023, it was recorded in more than 270 locations across Kerala, according to Dr. Vijayan. Beyond damaging crops, the snail can carry disease-causing organisms, including the rat lungworm that causes meningitis and bacteria linked to septicemia and peritonitis.
The situation underscores the need for coordinated efforts by school authorities, parents, and local government to protect children from this invasive species and the health risks it poses.
