06/09/2026
🚨 PARASITE ALERT: PROTECT YOUR PETS AND LIVESTOCK 🚨
The SFAH team wants to make our community aware of a serious and rapidly emerging animal health concern: the New World Screwworm.
This dangerous parasite is not a typical maggot. Adult flies lay eggs in open wounds, and the resulting larvae feed on living tissue, causing severe injury, infection, and potentially life-threatening damage in affected animals. While human cases are rare, pets, livestock, and wildlife are at significant risk.
Recent cases have been identified in Texas and New Mexico, raising concerns about the parasite's spread and the potential risk to traveling pets and animals.
As summer travel increases, we strongly encourage pet owners to:
✅ Check pets regularly for wounds, skin injuries, or unusual swelling.
✅ Seek veterinary attention immediately if you notice wounds that are not healing or signs of maggot infestation.
✅ Keep pets current on recommended parasite preventatives.
✅ Discuss treatment and preventive options with your veterinarian, including products such as Capstar (nitenpyram) and isoxazoline-based flea and tick preventatives (including NexGard, Bravecto, and Simparica), which may help kill and prevent infestations.
✅ Review current travel advisories, quarantine zones, and animal movement restrictions before traveling to affected areas, including Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana (no detected cases, but animal movement restricted).
Early detection is critical. Prompt treatment can prevent devastating tissue damage and improve outcomes for affected animals.
For more information, please visit:
USDA APHIS Screwworm Information:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/screwworm
Texas A&M AgriLife Companion Animal Guidance:
https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/companion-animal-care-nws/
Please share this information to help protect pets, livestock, and our community.
