A dangerous worm named New World Screwworm is spreading again. This worm, in the form of fly larva, goes inside the wounds in the body of animals and humans and starts eating the flesh. So far, 7 people have died in Mexico and South America due to this infection and at least 1,190 people have been infected.

At present this infection is active in 601 animals in Mexico. Of these, 8 cases have been found in the state of Tamaulipas, which is adjacent to the US state of Texas. For this reason, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health warning.

CDC has asked doctors, veterinarians and health workers to keep an eye on this disease. Screwworm has been described as a “very destructive insect”. This insect was first eradicated from America in 1966. The infection was later found in deer in Florida in 2016, but was eliminated again in 2017.

This worm lays its eggs in open wounds, nose, mouth or other moist parts of animals or humans. The caterpillars emerging from these eggs eat the meat. Cows, buffaloes, horses and pigs are most at risk. But dogs, cats and humans can also fall prey to it. If not treated on time, this infection can be fatal.

Before 1960, about one million cattle in Texas had to be treated for screwworm every year. Earlier, a special method was adopted to prevent this worm. The female fly reproduces only once in her life, while the male does so several times. Scientists made male flies infertile with gamma rays and released them in large numbers. These infertile males mated with females, but eggs were not produced. This “sterile insect technique” eliminated screwworms from the United States, Mexico, and many parts of Central America by 1982.

According to the CDC, uncontrolled livestock movements, increased traffic through the Darien Gap region, and new farming areas are factors responsible for its spread. Scientists also believe that climate change and rising temperatures are helping this insect spread.

So far, no cases have been found in humans or animals in America. Nevertheless, CDC has issued this warning to make people aware and for timely identification, testing and treatment. Vigilance is the biggest way to prevent this dangerous disease.