What Phoenix pet owners should know about new world screwworm
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New World screwworm has made a recent comeback, with five confirmed cases in southeast Arizona.
Why it matters: Animal owners need to be on the lookout for the deadly parasite even though no cases have been confirmed in the Valley, state officials say.
Catch up quick: New World screwworm "is a highly destructive parasitic fly whose larvae feed exclusively on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals," per the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
- Breakouts in the 1960s and '70s led to its eradication in the U.S., but a recent resurgence in Mexico has reintroduced it here for the first time in decades.
- Because the screwworm burrows into live tissue, an infestation can cause severe damage and is sometimes fatal.
State of play: As of Tuesday afternoon, five cases have been confirmed in the state — two dogs, two horses and one sheep.
- Those five cases are in three 12-square-mile "infested zones," which no animals can exit without inspection by state authorities.
- Two of those zones are in Cochise County, while the other is in Greenlee.
Threat level: The Arizona Humane Society suggests that Valley residents should check their pets more frequently, keeping an eye on wounds.
- Consult a vet if you see suspicious wounds, particularly if you see maggots.
- If a pet is infected, monthly flea and tick medications may help.
Caveat: Indoor pets probably don't need daily inspections, but pets who spend a lot of time outdoors — or who you bring camping or hiking — should be checked a few times a week, says Mindy Bemmerl, director of veterinary medicine at the Arizona Humane Society.