Here’s What Utah Should Know About The Flesh Eating Worm Coming to the U.S.

A flesh eating worm that decimated cattle herds in the past was eradicated from U.S. soil in 1966. New cases have broken out in Mexico and now there are reports of an infection just 62 miles from the Texas border. 

Understanding the Threat: What is the New World Screwworm Fly

It is called the New World Screwworm Fly, and it is native to Cuba and the Caribbean. When it lays its eggs, it looks for an open wound or even an orifice on cows and other big animals. The resulting larvae burrow like a screw into the animal causing damage. 

There have been outbreaks of screwworm in the past and it impacted cattle and buffalo herds in the United States. It has been over 60 years since this fly has been a problem when it was eradicated from U.S. soil. 

A recent outbreak in Mexico has the USDA concerned and any reported outbreak must be reported immediately. They have an aggressive plan in place to deal with any cases that come to the U.S.

Human Risks: The Uncommon but Serious Consequences

It isn’t common, but people can be victims of this fly’s reproductive method. It has been known to happen in some South American countries where the fly will lay its eggs inside a human. It is painful and hard to get rid of. 

It can lay eggs in a wound the size of a pin. This is a possible way the fly can be brought back into countries where it has been removed. The fly lives in forested areas and is only a problem when it uses a wound to produces maggots.  

Read More: Unravelling the Mystery of Extra Toes in Utah's Past

It is something to be aware of if you vacation in a place where these flies live and you sleep outdoors. It took the U.S. 30 years to get rid of the screwworm the last time.