LSU Vet Med urges animal owners to be vigilant for New World screwworm
New university findings highlight potential implications for dogs, diagnostics, and veterinary practice.
According to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, additional animal movement requirements are being implemented to reduce the risk of the pest entering Louisiana.
LSU Vet Med urges animal owners to be vigilant for New World screwworm Skip to main content LSU Vet Med urges animal owners to be vigilant for New World screwworm June 08, 2026 The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is encouraging pet owners, livestock producers, horse owners, and veterinarians to remain vigilant following the recent detection of New World screwworm (NWS) confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico.
New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae, commonly known as maggots, feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals.
Unlike most maggots that feed on dead tissue, screwworm larvae burrow into healthy flesh, causing painful wounds, severe infections, and, if left untreated, death.
The pest can affect livestock, horses, wildlife, dogs, cats, and, in rare cases, people.
Currently, there are no confirmed cases of New World screwworm in Louisiana, but awareness and early detection are critical.
Animal owners should routinely inspect their animals for wounds and seek veterinary care immediately if they notice anything unusual.
Department of Agriculture and Texas animal health officials are actively responding to the detection through quarantines, surveillance, movement controls, and the release of sterile male screwworm flies to help stop the pest's spread.
These measures include enhanced health certificate requirements for certain animals entering the state from Texas, specifically lowering the validity of health certificates for animals entering Louisiana from 30 to seven days.
Learn more at ldaf.la.gov What to Look For Screwworm larvae most commonly enter through open wounds, surgical incisions, tick bites, the navels of newborn animals, or natural body openings such as the nose, ears, eyes, and genital regions.
Animal owners should watch for: Wounds that fail to heal Bloody or foul-smelling discharge from wounds Visible maggots or egg masses in wounds or body openings Excessive licking, chewing, or irritation around a wound Signs of discomfort, depression, or reduced appetite There are currently no vaccines available to prevent New World screwworm.
The report adds to ongoing university-led research relevant to veterinary medicine, animal health, and clinical decision-making.
Source university website: LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
https://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/news/2026/screwworm.php
Comments
Related Articles
More news
Copyright © 2026 - All Rights Reserved
ISSN 2768-198X
List
Add
Please enter a comment