Utah Horses and Cattle At Risk As Screwworm Outbreak Hits Mexico

A fly that decimated cattle herds in the past was irradicated from U.S. soil in 1966. Recently there has been a breakout of this pest in Mexico and would have a big impact on herds in Utah if it were to find its way here. 

Fly That Lays Eggs in Wounds of Cattle Threatens a New Outbreak 

It is called the New World Screwworm Fly, and it is native to Cuba and the Carribean. When it lays its eggs, it looks for an open wound or even an orifice on cows and other big animals. The resulting larvae burrow like a screw into the animal causing damage. 

There have been outbreaks of screwworm in the past and it impacted cattle and buffalo herds in the United States. It has been 59 years since this fly has been a problem when it was eradicated from U.S. soil. 

A recent outbreak in Mexico has the USDA concerned and they have banned any cattle, horses, or buffalo from coming across the border. Hopefully this will keep the outbreak in check. 

Humans Can Get Infected with Screwworm 

It isn’t common, but people can be victims of this fly’s reproductive method. It has been known to happen in some South American countries where the fly will lay its eggs inside a human. It is painful and hard to get rid of. 

It can lay eggs in a wound the size of a pin. This is a possible way the fly can be brought back into countries where it has been removed. The fly lives in forested areas and is only a problem when it uses a wound to produces maggots.  

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It is something to be aware of if you vacation in a place where these flies live and you sleep outdoors. It took the U.S. 30 years to get rid of the screwworm the last time.