Screw worm fly

The screw worm fly is an insect parasite of warm blooded animals, including humans. The Old World screw worm fly (Chrysomya bezziana) is found in Papua New Guinea, southeast Asia, India, Africa and the Middle East. Australia is free from screw worm fly and we want to keep it that way.

What is the risk to Australia?

The potential spread of screw worm fly from Papua New Guinea is a major quarantine concern for northern Australia.

All warm-blooded animals, including humans, are at risk of attack from screw worm fly. Cattle, horses and sheep are prime targets; however deer, goats, dogs, cats, donkeys, buffalo, pigs, fowl, native animals and zoo animals are also at risk.

The female screw worm fly lays up to 250 eggs on the edge of a wound—anything from a minor scratch or puncture such as a tick bite to a branding, dehorning or castration wound.

The eggs hatch within 24 hours and develop into maggots (larvae), which burrow their way into healthy flesh below the wound to feed.

If screw worm fly becomes established in northern Australia’s pastoral areas, an outbreak could cost our livestock industries up to $500 million a year in control, stock losses and lost export revenue.

AQIS requirements—what you need to do

• Declare that livestock has been carried on your Quarantine Pre-Arrival Report for Vessels (Pratique) form when entering Australia.
• Refer to the Master's information sheet for correct cleaning, disinfection and disinsection of vessels as required by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).
• Immediately report any suspected screw worm flies on board a vessel to AQIS on 1800 020 504.

More information

Website
Phone: 1800 020 504 (free call in Australia)
Email