Ah, the joys of living in Texas, where we not only have to worry about extreme weather, but now we also have the pleasure of hosting a delightful new visitor: the New World screwworm! This charming little creature lays its eggs in the tissue of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and then proceeds to burrow into the skin and destroy tissues. Sounds like a fun addition to our already exciting state, doesn't it?
But wait, there's more! The screwworm had been eradicated in the U.S. since 1966, but now it's back and ready to party. The outbreak is thought to have begun in Panama in 2022 and has now made its way to Texas. So, not only do we have to deal with the usual suspects like mosquitoes carrying West Nile, dengue fever, and chikungunya, but now we also get to add screwworms to the mix.
So, what can you do to prevent screwworm infections? Well, for starters, you can sleep indoors with closed windows or screened open windows. If you're feeling adventurous and want to sleep outside, be sure to use a mosquito net or sleep inside a tent with screens on the openings. You can also use insect repellent, treat your clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, and wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, hats, and socks to limit the flies' access to your body.
If you do happen to get infected with screwworms, don't try to remove the larvae yourself. Instead, seek medical help and let a healthcare provider remove each larva from the wound. And if a larva does fall out of a wound, be sure to submerge it in rubbing alcohol in a container and seal it to kill the larva and prevent more spread. Whatever you do, don't throw larvae in the trash or outside, as this will only spread the menace.
But let's not forget about our furry friends! If your pet goes outside, be sure to look for open wounds, signs of a larva in a wound, or a skin infection. Seek veterinary care if these symptoms appear.
So, there you have it, folks. Just another day in the life of a Texan, dealing with yet another delightful creature that wants to burrow into our skin and destroy our tissues. But hey, at least we have barbecue... for now.