“Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) asks hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts in South Texas to monitor for animals affected by New World Screwworm (NWS) after a recent detection in Mexico. This detection, found in a cow at an inspection checkpoint in the southern Mexico State of Chiapas, close to the border with Guatemala, follows the progressively northward movement of NWS through both South and Central Americas. As a protective measure, animal health officials ask those along the southern Texas border to monitor wildlife, livestock and pets for clinical signs of NWS and immediately report potential cases. New World screwworms are larvae or maggots of the NWS fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax), that cause a painful condition known as NWS myiasis.”

“NWS flies lay eggs in open wounds or orifices of live tissue such as nostrils, eyes or mouth. These eggs hatch into dangerous parasitic larvae, and the maggots burrow or screw into flesh with sharp mouth hooks. Wounds can become larger, and an infestation can often cause serious, deadly damage or death to the infected animal. NWS primarily infests livestock but can also affect humans and wildlife including deer and birds. Clinical signs of NWS myiasis may include: Irritated or depressed behavior, Loss of appetite, Head shaking, Smell of decaying flesh, Presence of fly larvae (maggots) in wounds, Isolation from other animals or people,” says a bulletin from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issued last week to people who might otherwise be tempted ignore the smell of decaying flesh and/or the presence of maggots writhing in open wounds.

“When spending time outdoors (especially if traveling abroad to NWS-affected areas), be sure to clean and cover all wounds in addition to applying insect repellant to outdoor clothing to help avoid contact with NWS and other harmful insects,” the very gross bulletin recommended.