NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Beaty is urging animal owners in the state to be aware of an invasive pest after it was recently detected in Mexico.
While the flesh-eating parasite known as the New World Screwworm was eradicated from the United States decades ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday it was temporarily suspending all cattle, horse and bison imports from Mexico after recent detections in the country.
The larvae of these parasitic flies feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing painful infected wounds. Adult flies are slightly larger than houseflies, with metallic blue/green bodies, orange eyes, and three dark stripes on their backs.
Flesh-eating screwworm detected, US stops imports of Mexican cattle
Beaty said Tennessee’s position along key travel, wildlife migration, and trade corridors increases the need for awareness among animal owners in the state. Species that could be affected include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and other mammals, including pets and, in rare cases, humans…