New World Screwworm Awareness logo New World Screwworm Awareness for New Mexico

NM Current Status: No confirmed cases of New World screwworm in New Mexico.

Human Health

Larvae feed on living tissue, causing severe wounds, infection, pain, and potential death.

KEY POINTS

  • The fly lays eggs in broken skin or in ears, nose, eyes, or mouth. The eggs turn into maggots (“worms”) that feed on living skin and flesh as they grow. The eggs cannot live in dead skin and flesh.
  • Only flies can spread NWS. It cannot spread from animal to animal or person to person.
  • Human infestations with NWS are rare, but possible.
  • Protect your skin by wearing long sleeves, long pants, socks, and hats. Use bug spray or cream approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
  • Sleep inside with window screens both day and night or use a bed net or tent with screens.
  • Wash and cover all cuts, bites, scratches, rashes, or broken skin.
  • If a wound smells bad, feels like something is moving in it, or has maggots, call the New Mexico Department of Health at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) or TEXT NMDOH (66364). If you remove maggots from yourself or others, place all of them in a sealed container and bring them to your healthcare provider. Do not throw maggots in the trash or on the ground.

What To Watch For

Warning Signs in People
  • Very painful wound.
  • Maggots visible around or in open wounds.
  • Larvae in nose, eyes, or mouth.
  • Unexplained skin lesions that don't heal.
  • Painful, bleeding open sores.
  • Feeling larvae movement within wounds.
  • Foul-smelling odor from infestation site.
  • Secondary bacterial infections (fever, chills).
High-Risk Situations for People
  • Travel to affected areas.
  • Sleeping outdoors in affected areas during the day.
  • Extended exposure to livestock or animals in affected regions.
  • Exposed wounds from cuts, rashes, scratches, insect bites, open sores, or breaks in the skin.
  • Recent surgery or medical conditions such as diabetes or cancer.
Protect Yourself and Loved Ones
  • Keep open wounds clean and covered.
  • Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and socks.
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellents.
  • Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin products.
  • Sleep indoors or in screened rooms.
  • Avoid extended exposure to livestock in rural areas.

Guidance

For Healthcare Providers For employers
For Public
  • NMDOH Infographics
  • CDC Webpage: About New World Screwworm / Acerca de la miasis por el gusano barrenador del Nuevo Mundo
    • Handout: New World screwworm: What you Need to Know / Miasis por el gusano barrenador del Nuevo Mundo: Lo que debe saber

Reporting

Information for people who may have been exposed to or are concerned about New World screwworm infestation.

  • · Report human infestations immediately to the New Mexico Department of Health at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) or TEXT NMDOH (66364).