Pet safety-screwworms in Monroe county Florida

[Ray,IN]

Rather than try to recount the danger posed to ALL warm-blooded animals, including humans, read through some of the articles in this internet search.

Florida has a quarantine line established at the entry/exit point to the Keys.

[mysticmd]

Very good to know; thanks for the heads up.

[wildmandmc]

Local news a few weeks ago had a story on them. i was like what the hell are they. as we go to different planets to see what types of life. they still don't have a full scope on what lives on earth .

[scouserl41]

We just left the Keys yesterday and there is an inspection station north of Key Largo where RV's with pets are required to stop for inspection. Nasty things screw worms, best to get your pet inspected rather than just blow by the inspection station.

BnB

[Al F]

Not surprising that folks haven't heard of screw worms. They were eradicated in the late 60's early 70's, by releasing sterile male screw worm flies. It used to be a very serious problem in South Texas.

 

 

From Wikipedia: The primary screwworm was completely eradicated from the southern United States in 1966 and from Mexico in 1991

 

For more info go to Wikipedia here.

[Al F]

If your pet doesn't have an open wound then you shouldn't have a problem. Flies are attracted to an open wound, lay their eggs and the larva grow and feed in the wound.