The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission(AGFC) is asking the public to report suspected parasite or disease cases in wild deer instead of trying to treat the animals themselves.
Map showing areas in Texas and New Mexico with confirmed cases of Screwworm.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 33 cases had been confirmed as of Thursday, with 32 in Texas and one in New Mexico. All confirmed cases have involved domestic animals. As of the time of writing, no confirmed cases of New World screwworm have been detected in Arkansas, and no cases have been reported in wildlife or feral domestic animals.
The reminder comes as deer become more visible this time of the year along roadsides, field edges and forest openings. Some people may notice bare spots in a deer’s coat, ticks on its ears or other signs of parasites. Possible signs of screwworm include wounds that do not heal or appear to grow larger, visible maggots in or near a wound, a foul odor, extreme lethargy, signs of pain or unusual irritation such as excessive head shaking.
According to the AGFC, treatments made for livestock should not be used on free-ranging wildlife because there is no way to control how much medicine each animal receives. Some animals may receive too little, while others may receive too much. Underdosing can also allow parasites to develop resistance, which can create problems for livestock and pets.
State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Catherine Love said those issues are often seasonal, and wild animals are generally able to handle normal parasite loads in their environment. She said people who see concerning symptoms should report them to the AGFC Wildlife Health Hotline rather than attempting do-it-yourself treatments.
“Wildlife are adapted to handle the normal parasite loads found in their habitat,” Love said.
The warning comes as agencies monitor for New World screwworm, a parasitic fly detected in south Texas in June. The fly lays eggs along open wounds, and the larvae feed on living tissue. Infestations can worsen quickly and may be fatal if left unchecked.
More information is available at agfc.com/screwworm.
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