Warning of ‘Mouth On Its Belly’ Worm Infestation in Florida

Left frame - Detail view of the head of a New Guinea flatworm, showing one of the two slightly protuberant eyes. The flatworm is one of the world’s most invasive species and could carry a dangerous parasite, according to a University of Florida warning. (Pierre Gros / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons). Right frame - flatworm sightings in Florida, according to the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System EDDMapS

The New Guinea flatworm, a creature on the world’s most invasive species list, is causing concern among some central Florida residents amidst new reports of sightings of the species that could carry the dangerous rat lungworm parasite.

WESH 2 News reported that it had received photos of a suspected New Guinea flatworm found in Grant, Brevard County, inside a residential home. The news service also noted a total of 17 reports of flatworms in Indian River County, located several miles from Grant.