Flesh-eating screwworms are feasting on pets; 4 dogs and cat attacked this week
USDA has identified 74 animal cases in US since parasitic flies invaded in June.
The southern border of the United States is currently experiencing a horrifying outbreak of flesh-eating screwworms, which have now spread to Arizona, joining New Mexico and Texas in the affected states. This week alone, four dogs and a cat have fallen victim to the infestation, which is caused by the New World Screwworm (NWS) – a parasite that lays eggs in wounds and moist orifices of animals.
The resulting maggots bore into the living flesh of their victims, causing severe and often fatal wounds before dropping to the ground to develop into adults. Since the flies re-invaded the country in June, 74 animal cases have been identified in the US.
Brief written by urgent.news from Ars Technica's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
