Commentary
The recent announcement that officials detected a New World Screwworm in Mexico brought memories of removing screwworms from baby rabbits, ducklings and newborn puppies in the late 1960s. These experiences make this situation a priority to share with animal health pros. Vigilant monitoring and managing fly populations is critical to avoiding the devastation Screwworm flies (Cochliomyia hominivorax) could bring. The flies are indiscriminate, so all animal owners need to be considered.
NWS maggots can infest livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including people.”
We have been blessed with an eradication program since the 1960s that breeds and broadcasts sterile male screwworm flies <Link> to create a screwworm migration barrier. Female flies lay eggs into open wounds where the larvae hatch and bury into the host animal. The screwworm larvae are flesh-eating and difficult to remove from any animal <Video Link>.
Source: Angus Beef Bulletin, December 3, 2024. Link. On Nov. 22, 2024, the chief veterinary officer of Mexico notified the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of a positive detection of New World Screwworm in Mexico.
Image credit: Florida Trend
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