By Dr. Michelle Arnold
In the first week of June, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed four cases of New World screwworm (NWS) in Texas, marking the first detections of the parasite in the United States in decades. New World screwworm myiasis is a serious disease caused by the larvae (maggots) of Cochliomyia hominivorax. Unlike many fly larvae that feed on dead tissue, screwworm larvae invade and consume living tissue, resulting in progressive wound enlargement, severe tissue damage, secondary infections, and, in some cases, death if left untreated. The detection has prompted an immediate response from federal and state animal health authorities, including surveillance, containment, movement controls, and eradication measures designed to prevent further spread. For veterinarians, livestock producers, and animal owners, the cases serve as a reminder of the importance of early recognition, prompt reporting, and ongoing biosecurity vigilance as authorities work to contain this foreign animal disease threat.
What is New World screwworm?
New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is a blow fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing a condition known as myiasis. Typical blow fly maggots found in wounds feed primarily on dead or necrotic/rotting tissue. New World screwworm larvae are different. They feed on living tissue, which allows the lesion to enlarge and deepen as the larvae continue to burrow and grow.
Source : osu.edu