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Pet safety tips for the infectious New World Screwworm this summer
FOX Weather • • nation
Key Points:
- The New World Screwworm (NWS), a flesh-eating parasite, has reemerged in the U.S. with the first dog case reported since a 2017 outbreak in the Florida Keys, raising concerns for livestock, pets, wildlife, and birds.
- NWS infestations occur when female flies lay eggs on open wounds, with larvae burrowing into and feeding on living tissue, but the parasite is not contagious between animals or to humans.
- Prevention measures recommended by experts include keeping wounds clean and covered, regularly checking pets for injuries, and using protective measures like bed nets or screened tents when outdoors.
- Early detection and medical treatment are crucial, especially if there is foul odor, swelling, or irritation around a wound; individuals are advised not to attempt removing larvae themselves.
- The parasite can lay 200-300 eggs in a host, with larvae feeding for about seven days before emerging as adult flies to continue the infestation cycle.
