Published: 2015-01-04 years Updated: 2021-09-23
Author: Thomas C. Weiss | Contact: Disabled-World.com
Peer-reviewed publications: N / A
Move in: Main announcement | Publications
Summary: There are two types of helminth flies, Chrysomyia bezziana and Cochliomyia hominivorax, found mainly in tropical areas of the American continent. Trichinosis is caused when fly larvae or ‘maggots’ burrow into the raw flesh of a host and feed until they mature and leave the host to pupate on the ground. Adults are free-flying and prefer warm and humid environments. Worms can reach a country when an adult flies over a storm front from neighboring countries, or on an airplane or boat. Maggots can also enter the country in an existing wound on an animal or person.
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Main announcement
Worms are parasites of all wild and domestic animals, as well as birds and humans. At this time, flies are absent from Australia, such as in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and are considered the most serious exotic pest threatening Australia’s livestock and people. This situation is due to the difficulty of eradication of the screwworm, the need for extensive use of sterile male release, the wide host range, as well as the potential to harm food production in Northern Australia.
There are two types of screw flies. One is the old world screw worm or, ‘Chrysomyia bezziana, ‘is endemic to the northern countries of Australia. Old World worms are found in the coastal marshes of Papua New Guinea adjacent to the Torres Strait and throughout Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Another type of screwworm fly is the new world screwworm fly or,’Cochliomyia hominivorax,’ is found mainly in tropical areas of the American continent. The New World Wormworm has been eradicated from the southernmost states of America.
Toxocariasis in animals
Trichinosis is caused when fly larvae or ‘maggots’ burrow into the raw flesh of a host and feed until they mature and leave the host to pupate on the ground. Adults are free-flying and prefer warm and humid environments. Female helminth flies are attracted to any moist secretions on warm-blooded animals or even humans, such as wounds or natural openings in the body. Female flies lay eggs – usually 100 to 200 fruits, on the edge of all types of wounds such as:
- tick bite
- Weep
- Brand Peeling
- Navy of newborn animals
- Castration or horny wound
Fly eggs are laid in rafts next to a wound to allow easy access for screwworm maggots as they hatch. Helminth fly larvae hatch in about 12 hours and penetrate the living tissues surrounding the wound. The larvae produce burrowing and foul-smelling lesions, up to 10-12 cm in diameter. Lesions are characterized by liquefaction, hemorrhage, and progressive necrosis. Secondary bacterial infections, ‘toxins,’ as well as fluid loss contribute to the death of the affected organism.
The development of the larvae is completed within 5-7 days, after which they leave the wound and fall to the ground. Larvae will pupate between 2-60 days depending on the temperature before the flies appear. The optimum temperature range for fly activity is 20-30 C. Flies do not survive below freezing. Under high temperature and humidity conditions, the cycle can be completed in less than 20 days.
The spread of the disease
Worms can reach a country when an adult flies over a storm front from neighboring countries, or on an airplane or boat. Maggots can also enter the country in an existing wound on an animal or person. Constant monitoring is required. The average distance that the screwworm can travel is 11 km and the longest is 100 km with the help of wind. The survival of flies at their destination depends on the presence of animals or people they can infest.
If the screwworm flies to a country with the right conditions, it can have devastating effects on wildlife and livestock, as well as people. Flies are difficult to control, especially when adults are free-flying and can disperse over large areas. The spread of flies can be rapid if it is not detected early. Control measures include:
- Zoning to identify infected areas and disease-free areas
- Disinfect and disinfect larval-infested areas
- Monitoring and surveillance to determine the extent and distribution of flies
- Isolation and movement controls to prevent movement of infected animals
- Gather regularly to handle animals affected by pesticides or chemical insecticides
Eradication programs have been successfully implemented in several countries using aseptic technique. People traveling abroad can become infected with screwworm larvae. Any wound caused by maggots, especially in someone who has just returned from overseas, should be reported to a doctor or healthcare worker. Infected wounds need to be cleaned and treated promptly to prevent the spread of pests.
In 1988, several adult old-world worms became trapped in an empty livestock vessel in Darwin Harbour. The ship had just returned from delivering cattle to Brunei. In 1992, new world screw fly larvae were identified in a wound on the back of the head of a person who had recently returned to Australia from visits to Argentina and Brazil.
Author credentials:
Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses for a Master’s, Bachelor’s and two Associate’s degrees, as well as studying Disability Studies. As a Nursing Assistant, Thomas has supported people of many racial, religious, gender, class and age groups by providing care to people with all forms of disabilities. disability from Multiple Sclerosis to Parkinson’s; paralysis and quadriplegia for spina bifida.
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Disability World provides general information only. The documents presented are never meant to be a substitute for the professional medical care of a qualified physician, and they should not be construed as such. Financial assistance is obtained from advertisements or referral programs, if specified. Any 3rd party offers or advertisements do not constitute an endorsement.
• Citation of this Page (APA): Thomas C. Weiss. (2015, January 4th). Worms and the spread of disease. The world of people with disabilities. Accessed October 26, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/health/screw-worms.php
• Permalinks: Worms and the spread of disease
