TAMU AgriLife Extension publishes human, pet fact sheets on NWS
The Texas A&M University (TAMU) AgriLife Extension Service has released two new fact sheets on New World screwworm (NWS) to help Americans prepare for the threat of the potentially devastating parasite.
These fact sheets are focused on protecting humans and companion animals, and they are the latest to be added to an online information hub which includes additional fact sheets, a technical bulletin and related prevention information.
NWS risks
NWS poses a significant threat to cattle and wildlife, but dogs and cats are also at risk, and infestations may be fatal if left untreated. Also, while rare, NWS can infest human tissue.
The two new fact sheets, titled “New World Screwworm Myiasis: Protecting Human Health” and “Companion Animal Care in the Face of the New World Screwworm, NWS, Threat,” provide research-based information on risk factors, prevention steps and reporting guidance.
The human health fact sheet was authored by Miquela Smith, AgriLife Extension program health specialist in the Disaster Assessment and Recovery Unit in Lubbock, Texas, and Dr. Mark Faries, AgriLife Extension specialist and professor in the Department of Family and Community Health in Bryan-College Station, Texas.
The companion animal fact sheet was authored by Dr. Guilherme Verocai, associate professor and director, and Dr. Rafael Ramos, postdoctoral research associate, both in the TAMU College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Department of Veterinary Pathobiology’s Parasitology Diagnostic Laboratory, as well as Dr. Sonja Swiger, AgriLife Extension entomologist and professor of Stephenville, Texas, and Dr. Phillip Kaufman, Department of Entomology head in Bryan-College Station, Texas.
Human health risk
The new human health fact sheet highlights the primary risks for people.
As of January, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reported a single, travel-related human case in the U.S.
Risk factors identified by the authors for contracting NWS myiasis, which is the infestation of fly larvae or maggots in human and animal tissue, are traveling to regions and countries where NWS is consistently present, such as South America, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic or traveling to areas currently experiencing an outbreak.
Working closely with livestock and/or wildlife animals in an area with NWS activity and/or having open sores or wounds which may attract NWS flies – from a scratch, cut, insect bite, surgery or medical conditions such as peripheral vascular disease or diabetes, for example – are also risk factors.
Companion animal risk
Pets near southern U.S. borders and those traveling to and/or from Latin America will be at the most risk.
Veterinary advice should be sought to determine if pretreatment for dogs and cats traveling to and from Latin America is warranted.
Early detection of NWS myiasis is essential for effective treatment and clinical recovery of pets.
Some protection tips include checking pets daily for wounds, including sites of previous tick bites and monitoring for foul odors, tissue damage or signs of fly larvae in wounds; assessing the pet’s environment for items which may cause injury, such as metal collars or chains, wire fencing and sharp vegetation and observing pets for unusual behavior, such as wound-licking or irritation.
Animals may lose interest in food or become aggressive or lethargic due to irritability and associated infestations.
There are no confirmed cases of NWS in the U.S. However, Americans are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of infestation.
AgriLife Today is the news hub for Texas A&M AgriLife, which brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within the TAMU system. This article was originally published by AgriLife Today on Feb. 27.
