LITTLE ROCK — Following the confirmation of New World screwworm in a Texas calf, a July 2 webinar hosted by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture will address concerns about animal and public health. The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly with larvae that can infest livestock, pets, wildlife and on rare occasions, humans. It was detected in cattle in the U.S. for the first time in decades on June 3 of this year. To date, there have been no confirmed cases reported in Arkansas.
“This pest is a danger to all livestock,” said Kirsten Midkiff, extension animal health specialist for the Division of Agriculture. “We hear a lot about it relating to cattle because of the economic losses, but it can affect any warm-blooded mammal.”
Because of the broad potential impact of the New World screwworm, Midkiff is bringing in specialists from the Division of Agriculture, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to discuss the potential ramifications of New World screwworm and prevention methods.
“This webinar will be for all Arkansans — livestock owners, pet owners, veterinarians and the public — to understand the history of the screwworm, identification and prevention strategies, and the economic implications for ranchers,” Midkiff said.
Speakers for the webinar include:
• Andrew Fidler, Arkansas State Veterinarian
• Melissa Clegg, USDA area veterinarian in charge
• Kelly Loftin, Division of Agriculture extension entomologist
• Kirsten Midkiff, Division of Agriculture extension animal health specialist
• James Mitchell, Division of Agriculture extension livestock economist
• Dustan Clark, Division of Agriculture extension poultry specialist
The webinar will be free to attend and will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 2. Those interested should register online.
Suspected cases of New World screwworm s…