An invasive species of huge snail that may develop as giant as a human fist and carries a parasite that may trigger meningitis has been noticed in Florida’s second-most-populous county, prompting officers to arrange a quarantine zone to attempt to include it.

The species, the enormous African land snail, was detected earlier this month in Miramar, Fla., north of Miami. On Tuesday, after finishing a survey of the realm, state agriculture officers determined to position a 3.5-square-mile part of Broward County underneath quarantine.

People who stay inside that zone could come and go, however it’s unlawful to maneuver the snails in addition to any soil, particles, yard waste or crops inside or out of the quarantine space with out a compliance settlement from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

African land snails thrive in heat, moist climates, underscoring the urgency of ramping up mitigation efforts, mentioned William Kern, an affiliate professor on the University of Florida who focuses on nuisance wildlife administration.

“This is when we want to knock them down because this is when they are really going to be cranking up their population,” Dr. Kern mentioned.

The large African land snail is “one of the most invasive pests on the planet,” in line with the Florida agriculture division. The snails feed on at the very least 500 varieties of crops, together with crops like candy corn, beans, lettuce and cabbage. They can have a devastating impact on Florida’s agriculture and pure areas “as they cause extensive damage to tropical and subtropical environments,” the division said in a statement asserting the quarantine.

The snail additionally carries a parasite, rat lungworm, that causes meningitis in people and animals. People can turn into contaminated if they arrive into contact with the snail or its slime — as an illustration by consuming unwashed greens or produce that one of many snails has touched.

Florida agriculture officers are utilizing a snail bait that accommodates metaldehyde, a pesticide authorised for residential use, to kill the snails.

The large African land snail has been eradicated twice in Florida because the species was first detected within the state in 1969, in line with the Florida agriculture division: first in 1975 and once more in 2021, after the snails have been detected in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in 2011.

Last 12 months, nonetheless, they were spotted in Pasco County, north of Tampa, prompting a quarantine that continues to be energetic. Lee County was put underneath quarantine this 12 months.

The agriculture division didn’t instantly present a timeline for the way lengthy it will take to eradicate the snails this time.

It’s unclear precisely how the snails made their approach again to Florida. It’s potential they came visiting as stowaways on transport containers, or as eggs in potted crops that individuals introduced house from the Caribbean, Dr. Kern mentioned. Some could have additionally survived earlier mitigation makes an attempt, he mentioned.