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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →New World screwworm (NWS), Cochliomyia hominivorax, is a parasitic fly. Its larvae, or maggots, feed on living tissue after a female fly lays eggs in a wound or body opening of a warm-blooded animal. The infestation is not contagious: it does not spread directly between animals, or from animals to people, through contact. The fly is the route of exposure. Most reported infestations are in animals, but people can also be affected. If you suspect an infestation in a person, get medical care the same day. If you suspect one in a pet or livestock animal, contact a veterinarian and report it to animal-health officials.
What New World screwworm is
NWS is one specific species of fly. It is not the same as every maggot found in a wound, and identifying the species requires an entomologist. USDA notes that other flies, including botflies and blowflies, can cause similar infestations, sometimes alongside NWS. A veterinarian or physician can collect the larvae for identification, but the diagnosis of NWS specifically depends on that identification.
CDC describes the fly as one whose larvae feed on living flesh. Its impact is greatest in animals, because livestock, dogs, cats, and wildlife can carry wounds that attract egg-laying females.
Does it spread between animals or people?
No. USDA APHIS states in its factsheet, The Facts About New World Screwworm: “NWS is not contagious and does not spread between animals or from animals to people.” Petting an infested animal, sharing a bed, or handling its bedding does not transmit the infestation. The risk comes from flies. Keeping wounds covered and limiting fly access matter more than keeping your distance from an affected animal, although an animal with an active infestation still needs veterinary care and should be handled with gloves.
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Human infections are on record. CDC’s outbreak summary reports one human case confirmed in August 2025 in a person who returned to the United States after travel to El Salvador. That case was travel-associated, and it is not evidence of locally acquired transmission in the United States.
How infestation happens
Where the fly lays its eggs
The adult female lays eggs on wounds or body openings. CDC lists the nose, eyes, ears, mouth, the umbilicus of a newborn, and the genitals as openings that can be targeted. Even a small break in the skin, such as a tick bite or a superficial scratch, can attract egg-laying in an affected area. This is why a minor wound on a pet that spends time outdoors deserves attention.
The life cycle
Larvae hatch, burrow into tissue, and feed on it. CDC’s published biological figures state that one female may lay 200 to 300 eggs at a time, and up to 3,000 eggs over a 10- to 30-day lifespan. Larvae feed for about seven days before dropping to the ground to pupate. These are CDC’s reported figures for the species, not measurements from a specific outbreak.
Warning signs
CDC lists the following signs in people. The same signs in an animal call for a veterinary examination.
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- Feeling or seeing larvae moving in or around a wound or body opening
- A painful sore that worsens over days rather than settling
- A foul odor from a wound
- Bleeding from the wound
- Fever or chills, which can signal a secondary bacterial infection
These signs justify urgent professional assessment. They are not a checklist for self-diagnosis, and a wound with some of these features is not confirmed NWS until the larvae are identified.
Who faces higher exposure
CDC identifies higher risk for people and pets living or traveling in areas where flies have infested animals. Higher-risk groups include people who:
- spend long periods outdoors during the day
- sleep outdoors or cannot keep flies away while sleeping
- have open wounds or skin breaks
- have medical conditions that cause sores
- spend extended time near livestock or other warm-blooded animals where cases occur
CDC’s outbreak page described the human risk in the United States as very low at the time of that information, and stated that no human infestations acquired in the United States had been reported. That assessment is dated and can change, so check the CDC situation summary for the current wording.
Where the outbreak stands
CDC’s overview reports that NWS has moved northward through Central America and Mexico since the 2023 resurgence, which was first identified in Panama and Costa Rica. Cases have since been identified in animals and people across the region. CDC’s outbreak summary reports that USDA APHIS identified the first animal case in the United States in the current outbreak on June 3, 2026.
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Affected locations, animal case counts, and movement restrictions change, and this article does not carry a live total. For current figures, use the USDA APHIS Screwworm.gov unified response page, which was last modified September 21, 2026, and the CDC New World Screwworm Outbreak summary.
How to reduce exposure
CDC’s prevention guidance focuses on covering wounds and avoiding flies. The table groups the recommended measures by purpose and setting.
| Purpose | Measure | Setting | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protect an existing wound | Keep all open wounds clean and covered | Anywhere, including animal premises | CDC |
| Limit fly access while sleeping | Sleep indoors with closed or screened windows | Indoors | CDC |
| Limit fly access while sleeping | Use a bed net or screened tent | Outdoors | CDC |
| Reduce insect bites | Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent | Skin, outdoors | CDC |
| Reduce insect bites | Wear clothing and gear treated with products containing 0.5% permethrin, plus loose-fitting long sleeves, pants, hats, and socks | Outdoors in affected areas | CDC |
| Limit spread on premises | Postpone procedures that create wounds, and inspect vehicles when leaving an infested area where USDA says detection measures apply | Livestock operations and transport | USDA APHIS |
These steps reduce exposure. They do not treat an infestation and do not guarantee protection. Permethrin is for clothing and gear; it is not applied to a wound or to an animal’s skin unless a veterinarian directs it.
If you suspect an infestation in a person
Do not try to remove larvae or egg masses yourself. Follow these steps:
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- Contact a healthcare provider immediately. Tell them about any travel to, or residence in, an area with reported NWS.
- If larvae or material fall out of the wound, put them in a leak-proof container with rubbing alcohol to kill them, and bring the container to the provider. Do not put live larvae in the trash or outdoors.
- Keep the wound covered until you are seen.
- Expect the provider to report a suspected case to the local or state public-health department, as CDC clinical guidance directs.
CDC clinical guidance tells clinicians to remove and kill all visible larvae and eggs, dispose of specimens safely, re-examine lesions after 24 to 48 hours, and monitor for secondary bacterial infection. Those are procedures for trained clinicians, not a home-care plan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you suspect an infestation in a pet or livestock animal
USDA says owners or producers who suspect disease should contact their veterinarian promptly. The veterinarian should follow the response chain:
| Who | What to do |
|---|---|
| Animal owner or producer | Contact a veterinarian now and follow local official instructions |
| Veterinarian or animal-health professional | Treat the animal according to veterinary recommendations and report the suspected case to the state animal-health official and USDA APHIS, as applicable |
| Area where detection occurs | Additional measures may apply, including inspecting vehicles when leaving an infested area and postponing wound-creating procedures; follow the official instructions for that area |
Do not apply a product or give a drug to an animal without a veterinarian’s direction. Treatment decisions depend on the species, the size and location of the wound, and the current FDA and USDA veterinary guidance.
Why home treatment is not the answer
Many people look for a home remedy once they find maggots. CDC notes anecdotal off-label use of ivermectin, but states that there are no controlled, double-blind studies measuring its impact on myiasis. Ivermectin therefore should not be described as a proven treatment, and it should not be given to a person or pet on the strength of online reports. Removing larvae without training can also leave tissue behind and cause further damage. The safe course in both cases is professional assessment.
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What official control efforts involve
USDA describes sterile insect technique as the eradication approach. Sterile male flies are released into an area where a population is established. They mate with wild females, which then lay unfertilized eggs, so the population declines. USDA states that the United States eradicated NWS in 1966 with this method, and that it eliminated a small Florida Keys outbreak in 2017.
USDA and Panama’s agriculture ministry jointly manage and fund COPEG, which USDA identifies as the only NWS sterile-fly production facility currently operating in North America. USDA’s response page describes a five-pronged plan, cross-agency work, border surveillance, and expanded sterile-fly production, with a stated production target of approximately 500 million sterile flies per week. That figure is a goal in USDA’s plan, not a verified output.
For the current official position, see the USDA APHIS New World Screwworm prevention page for animals, last modified July 24, 2026, and the USDA Facts About New World Screwworm factsheet.
Where to get official information
- CDC, New World Screwworm overview, dated June 30, 2026
- CDC, About New World Screwworm, updated and reviewed July 8, 2026
- CDC, Clinical Overview of New World Screwworm, dated February 24, 2026, written for healthcare professionals
Pet owners in or near affected areas should also follow local animal-health announcements, since those carry the most specific instructions for a given county or state.
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