Protecting Livestock From the New World Screwworm

Livestock owners work hard to keep their animals healthy, but even small wounds or injuries can create opportunities for parasites to cause serious health problems.

One of these parasites is the New World screwworm, which has recently appeared in areas close to the United States, raising concerns for nearby livestock.

Dr. Jennifer Schleining, a clinical professor and head of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and member of the AgriLife Research New World Screwworm Task Force, explains how livestock owners can identify and manage the parasite.

Digging Into The Details

New World screwworm is a type of fly whose larvae feed on living tissue, unlike most maggots, which feed on dead tissue. The flies lay eggs in open wounds and once the larvae hatch, they invade the tissue, causing pain, infection, and, if left untreated, death.