{"id":6736,"date":"2026-07-08T22:31:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T22:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=6736"},"modified":"2026-07-08T22:31:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T22:31:33","slug":"new-world-screwworm-pet-safety-what-to-know-about-the-deadly-flesh-eating-parasite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=6736","title":{"rendered":"New World Screwworm Pet Safety: What to know about the deadly flesh-eating parasite"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Detail of NWS larva showing the mouth hooks they use to eat living flesh. Image courtesy of USDA.<\/span> <\/p>

Read more Honda recalls 325K Odyssey minivans over another rear-view camera issue<\/a><\/p> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>

WASHINGTON<\/strong> – <\/span>A flesh-eating parasite known as the New World screwworm is raising concern as officials warn about the threat it poses to animals.<\/p>

What we know:<\/p>

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, when NWS fly larvae burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause severe and often deadly damage. The parasite can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and, in rare cases, people.<\/p>

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According to online data from the USDA over 30 confirmed animal detections of New World Screwworm were made in parts of Texas and New Mexico in June and July of this year.<\/p>

The name screwworm comes from the larvae\u2019s feeding behavior, as they burrow into a wound in a twisting, screw\u2011like motion that drives deeper into the tissue.<\/p>

NWS flies are drawn to wounds and body openings such as the nose, eyes, ears and mouth, where they lay eggs. The eggs hatch into maggots that consume live tissue, creating a worsening, painful and foul\u2011smelling wound.<\/p>

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people who live, travel or spend significant time outdoors in areas where NWS flies have infested animals may face a higher risk for NWS. The screwworm is not contagious and does not spread between animals or from animals to people.<\/p>

RELATED: <\/strong>Current snapshot of confirmed New World screwworm animal and wild fly\u00a0detections in the United States<\/strong><\/p>

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Detail of NWS larva showing the mouth hooks they use to eat living flesh (USDA)<\/span> <\/p> <\/div><\/div>

New World Screwworm symptoms, risk factors and prevention tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and United States Department of Agriculture:<\/h2>

Key points<\/strong><\/p>