Giant African land snails prompt Florida quarantine.

A giant African land snail, which carries a parasite known to cause meningitis in humans, has been detected in Broward County, Florida. The snails also cause extensive damage to agriculture and have twice been eradicated. The quarantine area prohibits the movement of the snail or plants, soil, compost, or yard waste in or out of the area without state approval. The state is using a metaldehyde-based molluscicide as treatment. Property owners within the quarantine zone will be notified in advance of the planned pesticide treatment.