Although New World screwworm cases have been reported relatively close to Houston, a Houston Methodist expert says the risk to the public remains minimal and can be reduced with simple precautions.

 

  • Risk to people is extremely low — “While screwworms may sound scary, the risk to the general public — especially in Houston — remains extremely low,” said Dr. Wesley Long, medical director of microbiology and pathology at Houston Methodist. He said reported cases have been limited to areas west of a line stretching from Corpus Christi through San Antonio to Abilene.
  • No human-to-human transmission — Screwworms are transmitted only when flies lay eggs in a wound, not through casual contact, meaning people and animals do not spread them directly.Open wounds are the key risk — “If there’s a wound, there’s a way — so keeping it covered is key,” Long said. He said people should keep their wounds and those of their pets’ clean and protected, especially in areas where screwworms are active.
  • Simple steps offer strong protection — “Using insect repellent in affected areas is an easy way to reduce risks,” Long said. He also recommended checking pets and livestock for injuries and using repellents like DEET or picaridin to help deter flies.
  • It’s a controllable problem — “This is a problem we’ve solved before, and we have effective ways to control it,” Long said. He said screwworms were eradicated from the United States in the 1950s and 1960s using the sterile insect technique, which releases sterile male flies that cannot produce offspring. The method successfully eliminated the pest and is now being used again to help limit its spread and push cases south.

 

Long said these simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of infection and help protect both people and their pets. These precautions can significantly reduce risk and help people stay safe while continuing normal summer activities with confidence.

 

To schedule an interview, contact Kennedy Copeland, Houston Methodist public relations intern at 216.924.0866 or kgcopeland@houstonmethodist.org. 

 

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