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Post by sonicsnail on Nov 14, 2005 18:01:52 GMT
Ok this may sound stupid but I really don't know. Ok here it goes; Do snails from Brixton market carry any diseases that can affect humans. I ask this question for I heard that the snails at Brixton were wild caught specimens. Further to possible diseases that may affect humans??? Can they carry any diseases that can affect other snails?
Thanks to anyone who replies.
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Post by Paul on Nov 14, 2005 18:09:21 GMT
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Post by sonicsnail on Nov 14, 2005 18:18:17 GMT
Oh, so your brixtons did have worms then. Does anyone know if these types parasites or diseases are harmful to humans or snails?
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Post by Paul on Nov 14, 2005 18:38:33 GMT
Possibly. Hookworms can penetrate the skin, although I doubt they are these. Rat-lung worms (which infected 86% of wild-caught margies in one study) can cause meningitis if ingested and roundworms (which is probably what they are) are probably not dangerous but I'd not like to get them. However, it is well known for example, that a higher percentage of French people have worms than Brits because they eat more raw-meat than us.
50% of all life on earth is parasitic and 75% of humans have worms.
Having said all that I find it strange that these worms can lay eggs outside the body. I would expect eggs hatching and even growing worms but for them to lay eggs on the side of the pot is weird. Why bother infecting animals if you can breed without them? I can only think that conditions inside the bowels of the snails have a lot to do with it, they are probably ideal in both temperature, moisture and food.
The only real risk to us in hookworms, because being very strict about hygiene will avoid infection of the rat-lung and round worms. The only risk to us is hookworms because they can penetrate the skin. I'd like to get these ruled out for piece of mind, although I have been at risk since day one already, seeing as I haven't been wearing gloves until now.
I can live with the other types, and it is worth remembering that if you pick up a creature or animal from outside in this country, they're probably infested anyway, and I've been doing that since I could crawl.
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