SAN ANTONIO – A flesh-eating parasite is back in Texas, threatening warm-blooded animals, from wild animals to livestock to pets.
A half dozen cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed in the United States since last week after being largely gone from the country for decades. The nearest case reported is in Gillespie County.
So what do you need to know to protect your pets or livestock?
Signs of infestation
Screwworm flies lay their eggs in wounds or orifices of warm-blooded animals. When they hatch within 12 to 24 hours, the resulting larvae eat further into the host, which can cause severe, often deadly damage if not treated…