What is New World Screwworm? Veterinarian explains potential threat to livestock
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Tennessee State Veterinarian is warning livestock owners to keep an eye out for their animals after the New World Screwworm, or NWS, was detected off the border of Mexico.
The NWS is an invasive pest that poses a serious threat to livestock and other warm-blooded animals according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They said the recent findings of this parasite in Mexico highlights the potential for it to spread into southern states.
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'The difference between this fly is that it lays a larva that feeds on living tissue, not dead tissue similar to other flies that lay larva, and they feed on dead necrotic tissue. This fly, or the larva feeds on living tissue or any fresh wound,' said UT Extension Veterinarian, Lew Strickland.
Since the parasite was detected in Mexico, Strickland said he has been informing his clients to keep an eye out.
'Look for an odd-looking fly, it has a unique metallic blue body and orange eyes, and has three distinct stripes running along its back right along the top side of its thorax,' he said.
While the parasite could impact cattle, he said it could also infect farm animals, pets, and in rare cases, people.
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He said the NWS can cause sudden tissue damage and infections that can lead to death. However, this is not the first time the US has dealt with the screw worm.
'It was back in the 50s that this fly was around, but it was eradicated by a sterile fly mating, sterile flies were created that could mate with these females to where the eggs that they lay are sterile, and they don't hatch,' said Strickland.
But if it were to come back, he said it could have serious economic impacts.
'It can easily affect any cattle trade or any other animal industry,' said Strickland. 'We don't want it moving across borders because this fly can be on an animal and that animal could be hauled to another state, and we certainly don't want that as well. So, trade can certainly be affected quickly by this fly.'
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While he said it is reassuring to know that since these parasites have been eradicated in the US before, he stresses the importance of checking your animals and reporting any unusual wounds to your local vet or agriculture department.
Since they were detected, the USDA suspended imports of live cattle, horses, and bison along the southern U.S. border.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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