New World Screwworm Confirmed in Texas: Here’s What Pet Owners Need to Know
AUSTIN—The Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) is alerting Texas pet owners that New World Screwworm (NWS) has been confirmed in Zavala County, Texas, the first detection in the United States since the pest was eradicated in 1966. NWS flies lay eggs in wounds or skin openings of mammals, and their larvae feed on living tissue, which can cause severe damage and even death if left untreated. While that sounds alarming, NWS can be treated successfully when caught early.