There is a post circulating on Facebook that the Broussard Sports Complex (BSC) has Apple Snails in the complex.
In reaching out to BSC / St Julien Park Director Jamey Abshire, he has advised “The staff here at St. Julien Park is fully aware of the Apple Snails. I have actively spoken with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for help with any mitigation.”
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries web site states “Apple snails are also known to be an intermediate host to rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonesis), a parasite that can infect humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked snail meat or contaminated produce. Most cases are mild and people fully recover, but severe cases can cause chronic nerve damage or even death. Some apple snails collected in Louisiana have tested positive for rat lungworm, but no human cases have been identified in Louisiana. People should also avoid handling the egg clusters as they may contain a neurotoxin that irritates the eyes and skin.”
Link to Apple Snails on the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries web site – https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/species/detail/apple-snail
