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IS IT SAFE TO HANDLE A GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAIL IN THE UK?

There are still some concerns about whether the handling of giant African land snails in the UK is safe. Following a letter sent into Mollusc World in 2013 by children's author, Sarah Lucas, a formal response was printed in its November 2013 issue, from Drs. Janet Ridout Sharpe and June Chatfield and is reproduced below:

‘Sarah Lucas (Letter, Mollusc World 32:28) is quite right to be concerned that giant African land snails (Achatina spp.) might transmit diseases to humans. Fortunately the risk from laboratory-bred or pet shop snails in this country is negligible, and the simple precaution of washing the hands thoroughly or the use of antibiotic wipes after handling (not just Achatina but any snails or slugs) is probably sufficient to prevent the transmission of bacteria. There is no reason why children (and adults) should not continue to enjoy handling snails.’

Sarah subsequently received an email from a lady who is 23 weeks pregnant. She was concerned that her partner’s giant African land snails might prove a risk to her unborn baby, by her catching either the salmonella or meningitis virus. Sarah was able to put her mind at rest having been advised by Dr. June Chatfield that proper hand-washing here is important for any expectant mother, as is avoiding ingesting cooked snails since raw or hardly-cooked snails could cause a serious problem to anyone.

If you regularly handle giant African land snails in the UK, do make sure that you always wash your hands thoroughly - before and after handling.