New World Screwworm Poses Threat To Tennessee

The Tennessee State Veterinarian is urging animal owners to be aware of New World Screwworm, an invasive pest that poses a serious threat to livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including pets.

The New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing painful infected wounds. Adult flies are slightly larger than houseflies, with metallic blue/green bodies, orange eyes, and three dark stripes on their backs.

The New World Screwworm can cause devastating health impacts to affected animals, and early detection is critical to containment and treatment efforts.

Here’s what to look for…Wounds that won’t heal or worsen over time, Foul-smelling discharge or visible larvae (maggots) in a wound, Signs of discomfort or unusual behavior, such as animals avoiding feed or isolating themselves, Infestation may be found in wounds resulting from routine procedures,.

Domesticated species that could be affected include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and other mammals, including pets and, in rare cases, humans.

The New World Screwworm hasn’t made it to Tennessee, yet…But, If you suspect New World Screwworm, contact the State Veterinarian’s office at 615-837-5120, on weekends and evenings, call 866-536-7593.