MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – New World screwworms have been found on numerous additional Florida Keys west of Big Pine Key, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Tuesday.
Officials first announced the presence of the parasite, which feeds on animal tissue, Oct. 3 in Big Pine Key.
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They said screwworms have also been found in Big Torch Key, Middle Torch Key, Little Torch Key, Cudjoe, Ramrod and Summerland.
New World screwworms are maggots, and while they typically feed on animal tissue, they are drawn to people in rare cases.
Officials said they most often enter a warm-blooded animal through an open wound and feed on the animal's living flesh.
This is the first local infestation of New World screwworms in the U.S. in more than 30 years.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam declared an agricultural state of emergency in Monroe County on Oct. 3.
Officials do not expect more detection of New World screwworms because enhanced surveillance efforts are underway.