New World screwworm has been detected in US wildlife for the first time after an elk was found infected in Pecos County, Texas, the US Department of Agriculture said.
The elk was on a game ranch and the infection was reported after the animal was harvested by a hunter. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the discovery had prompted further wildlife surveillance in the area.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is assisting with the checks, while the Texas Animal Health Commission will amend an infested zone previously established in the state.
New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals, including livestock and, in rare cases, people. Its larvae feed on living tissue after hatching.
Hunters have been advised to look for maggots in wounds, foul-smelling injuries and animals that appear weak or distressed. Open or enlarging wounds, particularly around the nose, mouth, ears, eyes or genital areas, may also indicate an infestation.
Officials have urged anyone who sees signs of the parasite to report them immediately. The USDA said the infection does not affect food safety, although it can harm meat production.
The agency confirmed the parasite in a three-week-old Texas calf in June. It is typically found in South America and parts of the Caribbean, but has spread north into Central America and Mexico in recent years.
The first human case in the United States was confirmed last year. The patient recovered, and officials found no evidence of further transmission.
