{
  "id": 17302400,
  "title": "Flesh-eating screwworms spread to third state and are attacking pets",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/flesh-eating-screwworms-spread-to-third-state-and-are-attacking-pets",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-30T22:36:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ars Technica Health",
    "slug": "ars-technica-health",
    "url": "https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/10/flesh-eating-screwworms-are-feasting-on-pets-4-dogs-and-cat-attacked-this-week/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The New World Screwworm (NWS) infestation has now reached Arizona, expanding the range of this deadly parasite to include a third US state. Alongside New Mexico and Texas, Arizona has reported 74 cases of animals suffering from the flesh-eating maggots. The NWS infestation began in June, with the flies laying eggs in animal wounds and orifices, leading to the maggots burrowing into the flesh and causing severe, potentially fatal injuries. As the creatures bore into the victims, they resemble screws and twist within the living tissue before dropping to the ground to develop into adults.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}