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Pet owners may be diligent about routine care, but even a minor wound can put animals at risk for dangerous parasites. One parasite that poses a potential threat is the New World screwworm (NWS), a parasitic fly whose larvae infest wounds and can result in significant tissue damage if left untreated.

Although there have been no confirmed locally transmitted cases in animals within the United States since 2016, the NWS has been moving north through Central America since 2022, reaching Mexico in 2024. This movement has prompted veterinarians to encourage pet owners, and especially those who work with colonies of stray or other unowned animals, to stay informed and vigilant.

Dr.…