New World Screwworm Q&A with Dr. Isabelle Louge

The flies are most often found in South America and parts of the Caribbean, but in the last few years have also moved into Central America and Mexico.

New World screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly that can feed on the tissues of warm-blooded animals and lay their eggs in open wounds or body openings, such as the nose, eyes, ears, and mouth.

NWS was eradicated in the United States about 60 years ago, but the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently confirmed a case in a calf in Texas.

Since then, a total of seven cases have been documented, including in a dog in New Mexico.

Isabelle Louge , clinician with Tufts Veterinary Field Service (TVFS) and assistant clinical professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, answers questions for animal owners about New World screwworm.

What are the risks of New World screwworm to livestock, pets, and other wildlife?

While many flies can produce fly larvae (maggots) that infect wounds, New World screwworm is particularly aggressive and can cause significant damage to the animal’s healthy, living tissue.

Infection with NWS causes large, painful, invasive wounds that produce a terrible smell.

Secondary infections and direct damage to tissue can put the animal’s life at risk.

What about my animals here in New England?

The report adds to ongoing university-led research relevant to veterinary medicine, animal health, and clinical decision-making.

Source university website: Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

https://vet.tufts.edu/news-events/news/new-world-screwworm-qa-dr-isabelle-louge