Infestation of screw-worms eating endangered deer alive in Florida Keys, officials say

FLORIDA KEYS — Fifty endangered Key deer have been euthanized since a screw-worm infestation popped up in the Florida Keys and wildlife officials are taking drastic action to get the problem under control. %

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The screw-worm is the larvae of the screw fly and is the only insect known to eat the living flesh of warm blooded animals, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.

The maggots enter the body of an animal through an open wound and feed on the flesh for about a week before burrowing into the ground and emerging as adult flies.

While they feed, the wound grows significantly and if not treated can be fatal, the Florida Department of Agriculture said.

Read: Key Deer Facts

While not prevalent, human cases of screw-worm infestation have been recorded, the USDA said.

When a person or animal is infected, the result is incredibly painful and gruesome, the department said.

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“(The screw-worm) has caused immeasurable suffering and losses in livestock, wildlife, and even human populations the world over,” the USDA said on its website.

Euthanasia was necessary for the 50 deer affected by the infestation so far because they were “in such deteriorated condition,” the FDA said in a release.

There are only an estimated 1,000 Key deer living in the wild.

Information: National Key Deer Refuge

To combat the infestation, officials will be releasing sterilized male screw flies in areas where screw-worms are prevalent.

Female screw flies only mate once in their life, storing the male’s sperm for future breeding, the FDA said.

So, when a female mates with a sterile male, it breaks the life cycle of the species.

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Because the male screw flies are sterile, there is no worry of introducing a non-native species into the local environment, the FDA said.

The flies are produced by irradiating the insects, not through genetic modification, officials noted.

The Sterile Insect Technique, or SIT, was scheduled to be implemented in Pig Pine and No Name keys starting Tuesday.

The last time the U.S. experienced a major screw-worm infestation was in the 1960s, the FDA said.

Residents who have warm-blooded animals are urged to watch their animals carefully and report any potential cases to 800-HELP-FLA. Non-Florida residents should call 850-410-3800.

Link: Stay current on screwworm eradication

Visitors to the area should ensure any pets that are with them are also checked, in order to prevent the spread of this infestation.

While human cases of new world screwworm are rare, they have occurred, and public health officials are involved in the response.

For more information about this disease in humans, residents are asked to contact their local public health department.

Cox Media Group