Flesh-Eating Screwworm Alert: What Dunedin & Pinellas County Pet Owners Need to Know

A serious parasitic threat is drawing national attention — and Florida officials are already acting to keep it out of our state. On June 12, 2026, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) banned the importation of rescue and shelter animals from Texas and New Mexico after the USDA confirmed nine cases of the New World screwworm in those states. While this parasite has not been detected in Florida, Dunedin and Pinellas County pet owners need to understand what the screwworm is, what it does, and how to protect their animals if the threat spreads.

What Is the New World Screwworm?

The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Female screwworm flies lay their eggs in the open wounds of warm-blooded animals — including pets, livestock, and wildlife. The eggs hatch within hours, and the larvae (maggots) burrow into living tissue, feeding on flesh as they grow. Unlike common blow flies, which feed on dead tissue, screwworm larvae consume living tissue — causing excruciating pain, rapid tissue destruction, and if untreated, death.

The United States eradicated the New World screwworm in the 1960s through a decades-long sterile insect technique program — one of the most successful pest eradication campaigns in history. However, the parasite re-emerged in Central America and, roughly two years ago, broke containment from Panama and began moving northward. In early June 2026, the USDA confirmed nine cases in Texas and New Mexico livestock and animals, including — alarmingly — a dog in Lea County, New Mexico, marking the first known pet case in the current outbreak.

Florida Has Faced This Before

This isn’t Florida’s first encounter with the screwworm. In 2016 and 2017, a New World screwworm outbreak struck the endangered Key deer population in the Florida Keys. State and federal agencies mounted an aggressive response, deploying sterile flies and treating affected animals, and successfully contained the outbreak. That experience demonstrated both the real threat the screwworm poses to Florida’s animals and the effectiveness of rapid, coordinated response.

The good news: the New World screwworm is not currently present in Florida. FDACS’s June 12 import ban is a precautionary measure designed to prevent infected animals from being transported into our state before the infestation is controlled elsewhere. Local animal welfare organizations in Pinellas County rarely source animals from Texas or New Mexico, so the import restriction is not expected to significantly disrupt local adoption activities.

How Would You Know If Your Pet Was Affected?

Screwworm infestation (technically called myiasis) is distinct from a common fly-strike. Key signs to watch for include:

• Visible larvae (maggots) in or around a wound — this is the most definitive sign
• A foul, distinct odor from the wound
• Unusual restlessness or pain, especially around a wound site
• A wound that appears to be enlarging or has a bloody, seeping appearance
• Your pet excessively licking, scratching, or biting at a wound

Pets with any open wound, outdoor access, or who have recently traveled to Texas or New Mexico are at elevated risk. Stray animals and pets with unmanaged wounds are particularly vulnerable.

What Treatment Is Available?

On June 12, 2026, the FDA granted emergency use authorization for nitenpyram — the active ingredient in Capstar, an over-the-counter flea tablet — as a treatment for screwworm myiasis. The protocol involves two doses given six hours apart. Nitenpyram works quickly to kill the larvae, typically within hours of administration.

However, nitenpyram alone is not a complete treatment. It does not prevent reinfestation, and a veterinarian must examine the wound, remove remaining larvae, debride damaged tissue, and manage the wound appropriately to ensure full recovery. If you suspect your pet has been infested, do not wait — contact your veterinarian immediately. Early intervention significantly improves outcomes.

What Dunedin & Pinellas County Pet Owners Can Do Right Now

Even though screwworms are not currently in Florida, preparedness is the best protection. Here’s what we recommend:

• Inspect your pet regularly for wounds. Check after any outdoor activity, especially in brushy or wooded areas. Even a small cut or abrasion can become an entry point for flies.
• Keep all wounds clean and covered. If your pet has a cut or surgical incision, follow your vet’s instructions for care and keep the wound protected from flies.
• Avoid travel with pets to Texas or New Mexico until the outbreak is controlled. If you must travel, inspect your pet carefully upon return.
• Do not attempt to treat a suspected infestation at home without veterinary guidance. Call us first.
• Report unusual wound conditions immediately. If you see larvae in a wound, this is a veterinary emergency.

Stay Informed — We’re Here for Your Pet

The USDA and FDACS are actively monitoring the situation, and we’re keeping a close eye on developments as they relate to Dunedin, Clearwater, and the greater Pinellas County area. Florida’s 2016 Key deer response showed that rapid action works — and local veterinary practices play a critical role in early detection.

If you have any concerns about your pet’s wounds, skin, or recent travel exposure, don’t hesitate to reach out. The team at Dunedin Animal Medical Center is here to help you navigate this situation and keep your animals safe.

📞 Contact DAMC today if you notice any signs of wound infestation, or if you have questions about protecting your pets from the New World screwworm threat. Early action saves lives.