OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Department of Agriculture has issued a warning about the New World Screwworm (NWS), a parasitic fly not currently found in the United States but detected in Central America and Northern Mexico near the U.S. border.
Officials say the primary risk comes from imported rescue dogs or pets returning from international travel. To prevent NWS from entering the U.S., all southern ports of entry are closed to livestock trade, with enhanced surveillance and inspections in place.
NWS larvae infest open wounds, feeding on living tissue, affecting dogs, cats, livestock, wildlife and occasionally humans. The larvae burrow into healthy tissue, causing serious damage if untreated.
Pet owners adopting or transporting animals from high-risk areas should take precautions. These include getting a veterinary exam before travel, ensuring wounds are fully healed and monitoring for unusual symptoms upon arrival.
“Early detection protects animals and helps keep NWS out of the U.S.,” said the Washington Department of Agriculture. Pet owners are urged to contact veterinarians or state animal health officials immediately if they suspect a case.
For more information, pet owners can read the full blog by the Washington Department of Agriculture here.
