Arizona records first animal case of New World screwworm

Arizona officials announced the state's first confirmed case of New World screwworm (NWS) in a canine from Cochise County, the third U.S. state to report an animal infection with the parasitic fly. The dog was examined by a local veterinarian after a wound on its back was found heavily infested with maggots, and laboratory testing verified the presence of NWS.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture said the animal is receiving veterinary care and that the department is working with the veterinarian and the owner to collect further information. > "We have been preparing for this possibility for a long while and are acting swiftly," state veterinarian Dr. Ryan Wolker said. "Because of the extensive outreach, coordination and surveillance already in place, Arizona producers, veterinarians and pet owners know what to look for and how to report suspected cases. That preparation is allowing us to move quickly to protect animal health in the state."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is establishing an infested zone, expanding animal surveillance and conducting outreach to local partners. NWS larvae can infest livestock, pets, wildlife and, rarely, humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The parasite was previously eradicated in the United States through a sterile-male release program, but recent cases have appeared near the southern border. Arizona officials plan to release sterile flies in the affected area to suppress the population and prevent establishment.