Epi. 295 – New World Screwworm Update

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich provides an update on the current incursions of New World Screwworm across the southern border of the United States. 

The discussion includes of the movement of the fly across the Darien Gap into central America and then its movement into Mexico. Gingrich also discusses the lifecycle of the fly, how it infects animals, and current prevention measurements using sterile male flies. He also provides information about the current challenges with fly capacity and the efforts to alleviate this issue.

The response effort will rely on the success of daily inspection of animals and reporting all suspected cases. Reporting cases will provide information to state and federal animal health officials to know where to institute prevention measures such as sterile fly dispersals, traps and ground release of flies. Veterinarians should train clients how to identify cases and develop protocols for treatment and prevention. This training should include discussions on at-risk animal groups as well as delaying wound-causing procedures or developing prevention protocols when wounds are caused by a procedure.

The FDA has evaluated several products for treatment and prevention of New World Screwworm and Gingrich discusses this authorization process as well as which products have been approved for cattle. 

Gingrich also encourages all veterinarians to educate themselves using the available resources and to communicate to members in their communities the facts about this fly with reliable resources and information. 

AABP New World Screwworm page - https://aabp.org/resources/screw_worm/

USDA New World Screwworm landing page - https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

USDA New World Screwworm new detections dashboard - https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/current-status/us-confirmed-cases-new-world

FDA New World Screwworm page - https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/new-world-screwworm-information-veterinarians