 New World Screwworm:
Information for Farmed Deer Producers
New World Screwworm (NWS) is a disease of emerging concern for animal producers in the United States. While not currently detected in animals in the US, NWS myiasis, a painful infestation caused by the fly larvae, can have devastating effects on deer populations. Interested producers can learn more about NWS in the resources provided below and keep up to date with USDA APHIS’s response: New World Screwworm.
NWS has not been reported in animals in the US; however, the Department Health and Human Services (HHS) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the first human case in August. The last detection of NWS in animals in the United States occurred in 2016 and was limited to the Florida Keys. This outbreak primarily affected Key deer, a subspecies of white-tailed deer, and was eradicated in 2017 (read more in the final report linked below). Since 2023, a rapidly increasing number of cases in South and Central America have caused concern for spread into the US, with cases as close as Mexico. While no new animal cases have been reported in the US at this time, federal and state organizations are working to promote awareness and prevent the spread of this devastating disease into the country.
Access the linked information below to learn what NWS flies look like, what an infestation looks like, and where to report a potential case.
More information:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/bro-new-world-screwworm.pdf
public-nws-usdaaphis-final-report.pdf
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Division of Animal Health
https://datcp.wi.gov
|
