New World Screwworm: Not suitable for reading on a full stomach

 

Photo and headline:  Drovers, 7/10/2025

Angie Stump Denton reports:

“The stench…it’s like roadkill stewed in infection,” explains Jose Santiago Gallardo Espinosa, a cattle producer from Chiriqui, Panama, describing an animal that has been infected with New World screwworm (NWS). “You’ll smell it before you see it.” 

He goes on to describe the appearance. “That little dehorning scrape you didn’t worry about? Now, it’s a fist-sized hole pulsating with maggots. Not on top, under the skin. Hundreds of cream-colored worms with screw-like spines, eating your cow alive.”

Related posts:

2026

New World Screwworm hitchhikes its way to the U.S.-Mexico border.  (4/29)

The fact that experts have to tell ranchers report, don't hide it is probably not a good sign.  (4/29)

Screwworm detected in Mexico less than 50 miles from United States border.  (1/21)

2025

New World screwworm:  Next stop, Laredo Texas.  (9/28)

New World screwworm double vision.  (8/8)

New World screwworm, not yet in United States, is already screwing us at the meat counter.  (7/31)

Are we ready for the New World screwworm?  (7/30)

In the news:  New World Screwworm.  (5/13)