Screwworm Resurgence Threatens Pets | Durham News

Durham News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 9, 2026 · 1m

The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite thought eradicated for 50 years, is making a deadly comeback—now threatening dogs, cats, wildlife, and even people in Texas and New Mexico. This fly’s larvae can infest any mammal, especially newborns or those with open wounds, causing agonizing infections that can be fatal if untreated. Signs include foul odors, restlessness, or visible maggots. Prevention is critical: use prescription flea and tick meds that kill larvae. And officials are reviving a decades-old tactic—releasing sterile male flies—to starve the population of future…