Tennessee State Veterinarian issues alert for New World Screwworm
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Tennessee State Veterinarian has urged animal owners to be on the lookout for an invasive pest: the New World Screwworm.
The New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly that feeds on the live tissue of warm-blooded animals, and the bite causes painful and infected wounds. They are larger than houseflies and have metallic blue-green bodies, orange eyes and three dark stripes on their backs. The New World Screwworm had been eradicated from the U.S., but recently, the U.S. has halted the import of livestock at ports of entry along the southern border due to the pest's spread.
RELATED: USDA halts live animal imports through US-Mexico border
'An international border means nothing to NWS or wildlife that may be carrying the larvae,' Dr. Samantha Beaty, a Tennessee State Veterinarian, said. 'Livestock and pet owners should carefully inspect their animals and report any unusual or persistent wounds. NWS can cause devastating health impacts to affected animals, and early detection is critical to containment and treatment efforts. As with many animal health concerns, awareness and prevention go a long way in reducing the risk of spread to Tennessee.'
Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and other animals — including pets — could be affected. In rare cases, humans are also affected by the pest. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture advised people to regularly check their animals for wounds and treat them promptly. There are a few things to watch out for:
Wounds that worsen over time or do not heal
Maggots or foul-smelling discharge in a wound
Signs of unusual behavior or discomfort, like animals avoiding food or isolating themselves
Infestation could also be found in wounds caused by routine procedures, like castration, dehorning, branding or other more minor injuries like insect bites.
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You can call the State Veterinarian's Office at 615-837-5120 if you suspect that your animal has been affected by the New World Screwworm. You can also call the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Area Veterinarian in Charge at 615-517-2642. You can call 866-536-7593 on weekends and evenings. Any suspicious cases will be evaluated and samples may have to be submitted for confirmation in a laboratory.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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