Can humans, pets get New World screwworm in Texas?

Cases have been found in Texas animals. Here's how people can recognize and prevent infection.<|reserved_special_token_117|>Spacer.jpg.jpg An official with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension works at the State Operations Center during Texas' response to the New World screwworm in Austin on Friday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Two of the cases were in calves in Zavala County; another calf was infected in La Salle County. A dog in Andrews County also has been infected. New World screwworms are the larvae of a parasitic fly that lays its eggs in the tissue of warm-blooded animals. The larvae then burrow into the skin and begin destroying tissues. Human infections recently have all been in people who have traveled outside the country, but now that the flies are in Texas, all animals, including humans, are at risk. The Texas Department of State Health Services is asking health professionals to be on the lookout for screwworm infections and report cases to local health departments. New World screwworm had been eradicated in the United States since 1966. The current outbreak is thought to have begun in Panama in 2022. The flies have migrated north and are now present in all countries of Central America and much of Mexico. ## What are the signs that you could have New World screwworm? People who have New World screwworm may experience these symptoms: - Feeling like you have maggots moving in a skin wound or sore or in the ears, nose, eyes or mouth - Seeing maggots in these areas - Painful skin wounds or sores that worsen - A foul-smelling odor in a wound - Bleeding from sores - An infection from the sores causing a fever or chills Seek medical help if you have these symptoms. ## How can you prevent New World screwworm infections? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends doing these things: - Screwworm flies are looking for open wounds. Keep open wounds of any size clean and covered. - Sleep indoors with closed windows or screened open windows. If you do sleep outside, use a mosquito net or sleep inside a tent with screens on the openings. - Use insect repellent anytime you are outside. This also helps with mosquitoes, which carry West Nile, dengue fever and chikungunya — all of which have been reported this year in Texas. - Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. - Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, hats and socks to limit the flies' access to your body. ## How are New World screwworm infections treated? - A healthcare provider needs to remove each larva from the wound. Do not try to do this yourself, the CDC says. - A clinician will then treat the infection left by the screwworm or any tissue damage. - If a larva does fall out of a wound, submerge it in rubbing alcohol in a container and seal it to kill the larva and prevent more spread. Bring the container to a health professional. - Do not throw larvae in the trash or outside. This will spread the menace. ## What about pets and screwworms? If your animal goes outside, look for open wounds, signs of a larva in a wound or a skin infection. Seek veterinary care if these symptoms appear.