Internet-Sold Snail Pomacea canaliculata and Achatina fulica Might Transmit Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Mainland China

In China, snails Pomacea canaliculata and its new breed the gold snail, Achatina fulica and its new breeds the white jade snail, have been sold on the Internet in recent years. We concluded that 24,853 sales of P. canaliculata and A. fulica had been made through the Internet selling platform before 2019. Further surveys indicated that 51% sellers were located in endemic areas of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. However, no A. cantonensis-positive snails were found among Internet-sold snails. Laboratory animal infection experiments proved that all 4 breeds of snails could transmit A. cantonensis. Internet sales of the 4 snails are of bio-safty temporarily but still present a high risk to spread angiostrongyliasis in China; moreover. Internet sales of P. canaliculata and A. fulica should be brought to the attention of concerned

Automated summary

In recent years, snails Pomacea canaliculata and Achatina fulica, along with their new breeds, the gold snail and the white jade snail, have been sold on the Internet in China. A total of 24,853 sales of P. canaliculata and A. fulica were recorded before 2019. Surprisingly, 51% of the sellers were located in endemic areas of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, but no infected snails were found among those sold online. Laboratory experiments confirmed that all 4 breeds of snails can transmit A. cantonensis. Internet sales of these snails pose a temporary biosafety risk and a high risk for spreading angiostrongyliasis in China, therefore, it is important to pay attention to online sales of P. canaliculata and A. fulica.