Larval Stage of Parasitic Fly, the New World Screwworm
More Than 1,200 Human Infections Reported
On February 5 (local time), Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a "pre-disaster declaration." The source of the potential disaster is the New World screwworm. This insect, commonly referred to as a "parasitic fly," is the larva of a fly that burrows into the skin of animals and even humans, eating away their flesh.
In a statement that day, Governor Abbott stressed, "Texas law allows us to take preemptive measures to prevent the spread of pests that can cause serious damage to livestock, wildlife, and property," adding, "We will not wait until the damage actually reaches us."
Enlarged view of a New World screw-worm. It feeds on the flesh of its host with hook-shaped teeth on its mouth. U.S. Department of Agriculture website
Governor Abbott ordered the Parks and Wildlife Department and the Animal Health Commission to form a joint response team and activate a task force dedicated to dealing with the screwworm threat. Large-scale facilities are also being built to block the spread of the screwworm at an early stage.
According to Texas authorities, more than a dozen cases of screwworm infection have recently been confirmed in Tamaulipas State, near the Mexican border adjacent to Texas. If adult flies, the mature form of the screwworm, cross the border, there is a risk that the infestation could spread into Texas.
The screwworm is the larval stage of a parasitic fly that inhabits South America and the Caribbean. The fly lays its eggs on the skin of warm-blooded animals, particularly livestock. Human infections, though rare, have also been reported.
The maggots that hatch under the skin are called screwworms, and they grow by feeding on the host's flesh. In fact, last year in the U.S. state of Florida, there was a reported case of a tourist who had visited the Dominican Republic becoming infected with screwworms. At the time, between 100 and 150 screwworms had burrowed into the patient’s body.
Max Scott, an entomology professor at North Carolina State University, warned, "Screwworm infection is accompanied by considerable pain, and if left untreated, it can be fatal," adding, "Once an infection begins, more flies are attracted to the site and lay additional eggs. Depending on the location of the wound, screwworms can invade critical tissues such as the brain."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also monitoring the risk of screwworm infection. In information posted on its official website on February 3, the CDC stated, "There have been 150,000 reported cases of screwworm infection in animals and 1,240 in humans," while also noting that "there is no immediate risk of infection to people."
The CDC continued, "If you are in an area where the parasitic flies are present, you should keep any open wound clean and covered, regardless of its size or location, to prevent infection," and recommended, "To minimize exposed skin, wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and a hat, and use clothing products treated with 0.5% permethrin, an insecticide effective against parasites."
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