Arizona Game and Fish Department asks Arizonans to be on lookout for Screwworms
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is asking to be on the lookout for the “New World Screwworm” after a recent case of it in New Mexico.
New World Screwworms are a type of fly larvae that eat on living tissue. It has mostly been found in animals with 51 reported cases across the U.S since June.
There has only been one confirmed case of an individual from the U.S contracting after traveling to El Salvador last year.
“Everyone is doing a lot of work to minimize the spread and to slow it down and minimize the density of these flies. So the good news is that most likely you’re not going to encounter adult flies,” Ann Fan, AZGFD assistant state wildlife veterinarian.
Screwworms are normally found in animals with open wounds or with a foul odor. AZGFD also wants to reassure that it’s not something to panic over but still be on the lookout for.
“We want people to be aware but not be worried. This is not something that will cause a mass depopulation of any of our animals in any industry. If it happens within our livestock or household pets, it’s very treatable,” Fan said.
For more information on screwworms and how to identify them, click here.
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