Key Deer Infected With New World Screwworm

From Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex:

The following is an update from USDA: 
On Saturday, January 7, 2017, larvae was collected from a euthanized Key Deer on Little Munson (aka Little Palm) island in the Lower Florida Keys. Samples were taken and sent to the USDA lab. It was confirmed to have been infected with New World screwworm on Friday, January 13th, 2017.
We want to assure you that this was not unexpected. As shared previously, we anticipate seeing a few remaining cases in the next few weeks as this is normal behavior for screwworm outbreaks.
As shared on our January 10 post, USDA has established additional fly release chambers on Big Munson and USFWS has conducted oral treatments at both islands, installed medical treatment stations on Big Munson, manually searched Big Munson for infected deer, installed cameras monitoring deer were at Little Palm, and volunteers have been conducting oral treatments at Little Palm since October.
USDA is continuing to release sterile flies and survey for any remaining wild screwworm. The Federal, State. and County agencies involved in the eradication efforts want to thank the public for their continued support and remind everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious wounds on the Key Deer they see. We also want to remind you to check your pets!
Please contact the Key Deer Hotline to report injured or dead Key Deer at 305-470-6863 x 7.

Photo: Kristie Killam/USFWS 




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