The Flesh-Eating Parasite Creeping Toward the U.S.—And Why Vets Are the Only Ones Who Can Stop It

A dangerous flesh-eating parasite is inching closer to the United States—and veterinarians may be the last line of defense.

The New World screwworm (NWS), a deadly fly whose larvae consume the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, has breached a once-reliable barrier in Panama and is rapidly moving north. Now, animal health officials warn that U.S. veterinarians must be ready to detect and respond before the parasite spreads unchecked.