By Jamie Martin
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is alerting veterinarians, livestock producers, and animal health experts to be on the lookout for signs of the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that poses a growing threat to U.S. livestock and pets.
With its recent spread northward from Panama to southern Mexico, concerns are mounting that the pest may reach the United States, particularly in warmer states like Florida with large animal populations.
In response to the potential risk, the USDA has halted the import of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico, effective Sunday.
The New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is especially dangerous in its larval form. Unlike typical maggots that feed on decaying tissue, these larvae consume living tissue, entering through open wounds and causing severe damage or death if left untreated.
University of Florida experts warn that all warm-blooded animals including livestock, wildlife, pets, and even humans can be affected, especially if they have recent surgical sites or injuries.
The U.S. successfully eradicated screwworms in 1966. However, a resurgence occurred in 2016 among Key deer in the Florida Keys. That outbreak ended in early 2017 after a sterile fly release program eliminated the pest from the region.
While no current cases have been detected in the U.S., FDACS urges animal owners to stay alert. Symptoms of infection include foul-smelling wounds, visible maggots, irritated behavior around wounds, decreased appetite, lower milk production, and isolation from the herd. The most obvious sign is an open wound that worsens over time, possibly with a bloody discharge.
If a screwworm infection is suspected, owners should immediately isolate the animal and contact a veterinarian. Dr. Fiona Maunsell of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine emphasizes the importance of professional intervention, warning against attempting to treat infected wounds without expert guidance, as it may hinder outbreak control efforts.
Preventative care includes keeping wounds clean, dry, and covered. Animals that give birth outdoors or spend significant time outside face higher risk and should be monitored closely.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: National