A live Giant African Snail found on a vessel in Fiji which arrived from Pacific Island countries earlier this month has the capability to cause serious damage to crops and the environment.

The Director Bio-security Services Ilaitia Boa said they took action following detection of the Giant African Snail by thorough inspection of the vessel, cargo and containers at Suva Port before the vessel was allowed to discharge its cargo and containers.  

He said the detection of the Giant African Snail demonstrates the stringent measures taken by the Quarantine Division.

He said the Giant African Snail is not present in Fiji and its establishment could cause significant economic losses for horticultural production.  

Boa said the Giant snail originated in East Africa and is now present in most Pacific Island Countries and it is one of the world’s most destructive pests of fruits and vegetables.

He said that the Giant African Snails also carry the lung worm parasite, which can infect humans and cause meningitis.

Boa is urging all vessels arriving from countries that have Giant African Snails to have their containers cleaned and certified from the relevant Quarantine authority of exporting countries.