Screwworm Infections Can Be Deadly if Untreated

Both Kim Bautista and Doctor Salustino Pech are sounding the alarm; if left untreated, New World Screwworm infections can be fatal. That’s why the Ministry of Health and Wellness, along with BAHA, is urging animal owners to keep a close eye on their pets and livestock. If there’s a wound, treat it quickly. And if you spot anything suspicious, don’t wait, report it. Early action could save a life.

 

Kim Bautista, Chief Vector Control Officer, Ministry of Health

“The message that the Ministry of Health and BAHA is pushing is for pet owners and animal owners on a whole to practice proper wound management and the same goes for you. So, if you have a cut or some wound it is to ensure it is properly cared for, whether you are putting in a bandage or any topical medication to avoid infestation. It is the same that is being applied.”

 

Paul Lopez

“I would imagine, given the severity of the effects that it has on the flesh, human and animal, that this can prove fatal if not treated properly.”

 

Dr. Salustino Pech, Deputy Director, Animal Health BAHA

“Yes of course, it all depends on where the wound its.  In dogs we have been seeing where with dogs their whole face gets eaten out and they lose and organ there is some cases where, it is really sad to see that sometimes owners don’t take care of their animals. Talking about a bit more about the life cycle of the flies, the worms are deposited and in about twelve hours the worms are already out. So we are talking that in the morning the flies come deposit the eggs and in the evening you already have worms there. It takes about two to three days to evolve into the second stage and four five days it is in the third stage. So it is very fast that damage can be created.”