Havana, August 19 (RHC) -— A Cuban scientist said that Cuba must take immediate action to prevent the spread of the Giant African Snail, a species introduced on the island about two years ago, which is considered to be dangerous for humans.

We have the chance to control it if we take fast action, since the snail has a high reproduction rate, said scientist Antonio Alejandro Vazquez, who heads a lab in the sector at the Havana-based Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute.

According to studies at the institute, the African snail, known as Lisachatina fulica bowdich, has been located in Havana's southern municipality of Arroyo Naranjo, however the expert said that he has no doubt that it may spread to other areas because of the favorable Cuban climate for its reproduction.

The snail can act as intermediary to transmit diseases considered dangerous to humans, including meningio-encefallitis.