The possible emergence of the African giant snail in the city of Holguín is once again testing the Cuban authorities' ability to respond to an invasive species that has already spread across much of the country.
This Saturday, Radio Ángulo issued a warning, highlighting that social media users have shared images of snails resembling the African giant snail in urban areas. However, so far, phytosanitary officials have not officially confirmed these specimens as belonging to the invasive species.
Back in 2019, the province faced a similar situation, implementing a sanitation plan after detecting nearly 1,200 specimens. Although one colony was eradicated, another outbreak emerged in Certeneja by December 2020, showcasing the ongoing challenges in maintaining containment.
This current alert comes amid the snail's continued spread throughout Cuba. Initially detected on the island in 2014, by October 2020, the African giant snail had affected 14 out of the 16 provinces, with over 1,000 active hotspots across 59 municipalities.
Recent reports indicate the issue persists in various regions. As recently as April, authorities in Granma responded to an outbreak in Manzanillo, while in June, experts from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment (Citma) confirmed the mollusk's presence in Matanzas city, posing a risk of spreading to Varadero.
In July, Cárdenas residents expressed frustration over the lack of institutional response to the snails' presence in their homes. "There's no response from authorities; nobody comes to guide us on what to do with them," a resident of La Emilia stated.
By October 2025, the infestation had spread throughout Camagüey city, with residents reporting sightings of dozens of snails daily. "The grass keeps growing, and no leader is doing anything," a social media user commented at the time.
The African giant snail (Lissachatina fulica) poses a significant threat to both agriculture and public health. It can destroy over 120 crops, including banana, cassava, citrus, and rice, and carry the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis, responsible for eosinophilic meningitis, a potentially fatal disease affecting the central nervous system.
Its reproductive capacity makes control difficult. Being hermaphroditic, it can reproduce without mating and lay up to six batches annually, each containing about 500 eggs with a hatching rate exceeding 90%. Adult snails can grow up to 30 centimeters in length.
Experts advise against handling these creatures directly, avoiding contact with their secretions, and using protection if necessary to collect them. They also caution against consuming the snails, even if cooked.
Understanding the African Giant Snail Threat in Cuba
What is the primary threat of the African giant snail in Cuba?
The African giant snail poses a significant threat to agriculture and public health. It can damage over 120 different crops and carry a parasite that causes eosinophilic meningitis.
How can the African giant snail affect human health?
The snail can carry the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which causes eosinophilic meningitis, a disease that affects the central nervous system and can be fatal.
Why is controlling the African giant snail so challenging?
The African giant snail is challenging to control because it is hermaphroditic, can reproduce without mating, and lay large numbers of eggs with a high hatching rate.