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Bluescreenbuddytoday at 1:26 PM5 repliesview on HN

Much better source: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-co...


Replies

RetroTechietoday at 4:19 PM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochliomyia

Note this distinction:

Unlike most other maggots, these maggots attack and consume healthy living tissue along with decaying tissue (hominivorax literally translates to "man-eating")

The "primary" screwworm, which can pierce skin, causes most livestock damage and is the focus of the eradication effort. Versus

The secondary screwworm, C. macellaria, is a flesh-eating fly whose larvae consume only necrotic tissue, either that of carrion or of an animal or human host (myiasis). This important distinction between C. macellaria and C. hominivorax was not understood for much of medical history; myiasis of humans and animals was viewed as universally disastrous. However, as medical understanding of the process of tissue breakdown and infection progressed, it was observed that wounds with specific types of maggot infestation actually had a decreased severity and duration of infection. This progressed to the point where C. macellaria larvae were being applied in some cases as surgical maggots. However, the negative connotation surrounding the word “screwworm” has persisted, and the largely harmless secondary screwworms are often blamed for myiasitic attacks for which primary screwworms are actually responsible.

As often, success of an eradication program depends on staying the course.

rurbantoday at 3:49 PM

Compare the two. Both say there's a working response plan in place (SWASS).

One says it is working great. The others says it was started way too late, and it is still blocked by buerocrats.

pickleglitchtoday at 3:35 PM

Yeah, it's a better source if you enjoy government propaganda.

jmclnxtoday at 2:32 PM

A better source ? Looks like a borderline political ad. But it does have some good info.

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