Don't Raise or Touch This Snail: 1-Year-Old Child Develops Severe Encephalitis After Contact
A recent case in Shenzhen has drawn attention to a 1-year-old girl who developed a persistent high fever after contact with a large snail while playing in her community, ultimately being diagnosed with severe encephalitis caused by "Guangzhou Tubarialiasis." The child underwent six months of standard treatment before being able to stop medication, but still requires long-term follow-up observation.
Doctors explained that the child's source of infection was the African giant snail, a common species in southern China. The child's father had allowed the child to crawl and play freely in the community, and it is highly likely that the child came into contact with the African giant snail during play.
Such infections are not uncommon in children, and the hospital received multiple similar cases last year alone, all related to contact with snails.
It is important to note that infection can occur not only by directly touching snails, but also by contacting the slime left by snails on roads and grass.
It is reported that this large snail, also known as the Brown Garden Snail, is a quarantine pest, and its body, feces, and slime all carry a large number of parasites and pathogens.
Infection can cause meningitis, vision impairment, and in severe cases, can leave sequelae such as intellectual disability and convulsions, and even endanger life.
In addition, the incubation period for this parasite is between 1 and 36 days, with an average incubation period of about 14 days in children. It will not cause immediate illness after contact, and is easily overlooked by parents.
Doctors warmly remind: When taking children out, do not touch, pick up, or step on large snails; walk around them directly. If touched accidentally, wash hands immediately with soap and running water, and do not rub eyes or eat with dirty hands. Disinfect outdoor toys before giving them to children to play with. If a large number of snails are found in the community, contact the property management for disinfection in a timely manner.