SoylentNews

Freeman [soylentnews.org] writes:

https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/10/flesh-eating-screwworms-are-feasting-on-pets-4-dogs-and-cat-attacked-this-week/ [arstechnica.com]

This week, the country’s New World Screwworm (NWS) infestation spread to a third state, Arizona, which joins New Mexico and Texas in being plagued by the horrifying parasites. To date, 74 animal cases [usda.gov] have been identified in the US since the flies re-invaded the country in June.

The flies lay hundreds of eggs in wounds and moist orifices of animals, and the resulting voracious maggots feast on their victims.
[...]
Because of their ability to ravage livestock, the flies were eliminated from the country in the 1960s through aerial releases of sterile male flies, which thwart successful breeding. For years, they were held at bay using a biological barrier along the Darién Gap at the border of Panama and Colombia. But the barrier was breached in 2022
[...]
While they are largely seen as a threat to the livestock industry, they can also devastate wildlife, domestic pets, and in rarer cases, humans [arstechnica.com]. According to the latest data [www.gob.mx] from Mexico’s Ministry of Health [www.gob.mx], the country has confirmed 806 cases of human screwworm infestations since the flies reemerged. Nine people died from the savage maggots.

Original Submission