Episode 2: The Return of New World Screwworm

00:00:00: There's a

00:00:01: parasite that was eradicated from the United States in nineteen sixty six.

00:00:05: It took a

00:00:06: decade of work and a genuinely ingenious piece of science to pull it off.

00:00:10: And now, its back!

00:00:13: Today we're going talk about why it matters...and what you should be doing.

00:00:27: I'm an equine veterinarian and director of professional services at Beringer Engelheim.

00:00:32: I've dedicated my career to caring for horses, working alongside passionate veterinarians in helping translate science into better care.

00:00:39: today i have the privilege of connecting with some of the best equine practitioners across the country.

00:00:45: And one thing has become clear The best ideas on our profession don't come from working alone.

00:00:50: they Come From the conversations we Have With One Another.

00:00:53: Every episode you'll hear from leading voices across equine medicine as we explore the emerging research and real-world experiences shaping our profession.

00:01:02: Let's explore cases, science & questions that keep equine veterinarians up at night.

00:01:10: We're so lucky to have a guest today who is joining us on ride along with unbridled access.

00:01:15: She has a CV which takes awhile to read University of Pennsylvania Texas A&M Residency Board Certified in Large Animal Internal Medicine and more than nine years in academia.

00:01:25: She's a technical marketing manager at Beringer Engelheim, And most notably the current president of The American Association of Equine Practitioners.

00:01:33: You guessed it!

00:01:33: Our guest is Dr Sarah Roos.

00:01:36: she spent her career at the intersection of clinical medicine, academia & industry which makes her exactly the right person to talk.

00:01:43: do when disease we thought would be beaten decides come back.

00:01:49: Let's Talk New World Screwworm.

00:01:51: What Is It?

00:01:52: Why Have Most US equine vets Never Seen A Case?

00:01:55: And what do you need to know before your standing over a wound and wishing you'd listen this episode sooner?

00:02:01: Welcome to Ride Along with Unbridled Access.

00:02:07: Dr.

00:02:07: Roos, let's talk New World Screwworm!

00:02:16: maggot or larval infestation of wounds.

00:02:19: The adult flies, honestly we're not all that worried about other than obviously they are the ones who lay eggs.

00:02:26: but then probably the gross slash scary slash.

00:02:30: interesting thing about New World Screwworm is that as opposed to most maggots let's be honest has veterinarian?

00:02:36: sometimes we use maggots for good right like we've put them in wounds on feet and whatnot clean up dead tissue where The bad part, or the scary part about New World Screwworm is that the larvae are.

00:02:50: the maggots here actually will feed on live tissue.

00:02:53: So they generally start in a wound but then keep eating into alive tissue.

00:02:57: hence why there can be both pain as well as actual animal mortality.

00:03:02: Some of our U.S.

00:03:03: veterinarians may have seen it, some are more veteran practitioners shall we say—may have actually seen screwworm the last time that was here.

00:03:11: so essentially screw worm was eradicated from the continental United States in nineteen sixty-six.

00:03:17: there wasn't outbreak for any of our Floridian friends uh...in the key deer population and Florida keys in twenty sixteen seventeen.

00:03:26: somebody might've see at their or certainly honestly where we had actually leaned and expertise are talking to veterinarians, either that spend any time for their day-to-day practice in Mexico or Central or South America.

00:03:40: Or certainly some of our U.S.-based colleagues who do equitarian type trips and go to some of those countries have certainly encountered these cases more recently than the last few years.

00:03:49: but most veterinarian's in United States we've not seen this disease since nineteen sixty six.

00:03:56: hence why haven't probably thought about it nor necessarily been taught about it in veterinary school?

00:04:02: because it was considered essentially an eradicated disease.

00:04:05: I think that's a really cool science story, actually is the eradication of screwworm from the U.S..I know you weren't necessarily practicing when that happened and i wasn't either.

00:04:16: but can you walk us through this story if how it was eradicated?

00:04:20: Sure so honestly...in early nineteen hundreds New World Square Room was a disease that was endemic to much of America.

00:04:32: In the fifties, the sterile fly technique was established and that is what it used then over this subsequent decade like I said eradicate new world square room from United States considerably in nineteen sixty-six, but what the actual people way smarter than me came up with was again this sterile fly technique.

00:04:51: So really what it is...is that female flies only lay eggs once.

00:04:56: so by irradiating a population of flies and making them male flies sterile then when those sterile male flies would breed with the female flies The female flies lay eggs.

00:05:09: they aren't going to hatch flies die, those eggs never hatch.

00:05:13: and that's how over time you can actually break the life cycle.

00:05:18: Technology was established in the fifties and was used very successfully to essentially, you know beat back the border over subsequent years further and further south.

00:05:26: So like I said we considered it out of The Continental United States in nineteen sixty six.

00:05:30: Over the subsequent several decades continued to just beat it further and farther South bound To where by You have a late nineteen hundreds early two thousands.

00:05:41: There was considered to be what would call?

00:05:43: A biological barrier.

00:05:45: that Was essentially in Panama.

00:05:46: so the Darien gap is an area in Panama that we considered to have screw worm kind of held south of that area by using those flies, again just outbreed the disease.

00:06:02: So without opening a whole can of worms?

00:06:04: See what I did there...

00:06:06: Oh well!

00:06:08: You like

00:06:08: that?!

00:06:09: Why are we dealing with it now if had all the way down to Panama?

00:06:14: So one of the things that we do know about these flies is they like warm, humid conditions.

00:06:19: That's how the flies live and how the eggs can persist in their environment and how those larvae pupate.

00:06:26: And then essentially you have the Darian Gapper—that biologic border was broken when we started to see disease coming back into Central America in like.

00:06:38: What does this look like specifically for the equine population yet?

00:06:41: Have we seen any equine cases in the

00:06:43: U.S.?

00:06:44: Yeah, that's a great question.

00:06:46: Obviously horse people We kind of like to panic when we look at any of our various disease outbreaks.

00:06:52: The good and bad is course owners myself included Pay attention to lots of different things And hear about things.

00:06:58: You know, it's good that horse owners and equine veterinarians are aware of the disease.

00:07:03: But happily thus far in the United States there are not any confirmed equine cases.

00:07:09: And if we think about the current quote-unquote outbreak The first case was detected In the united states in texas um...and That Was in a cow but at this point It has Not been seen or documented in horses?

00:07:22: When We look At countries in central or south america where This disease is considered more endemic A hundred percent of animals with disease, six per cent in general are horses.

00:07:33: It is much more commonly seen in cattle and small ruminants than it ever was seen in horses.

00:07:38: so even if when we see some horse cases here We certainly expect to be lower numbers then on other species.

00:07:46: But Is there anything about the equine population or how we manage horses that scares you?

00:07:52: When we think again about just the biology of screwworm, it's adult flies that are flying around.

00:07:58: They're in general drawn to wounds and then once they were on a wound like I said lay their eggs.

00:08:05: those eggs hatch into larvae start off within that wound tissue but continue eating live tissue which is what makes them actually scary.

00:08:15: The fly themselves aren't great flyers.

00:08:18: So in general, you know they fly maybe ten to twelve miles.

00:08:22: if those flies themselves potentially were moved with a horse that would be one way we could actually spread the disease more commonly.

00:08:30: probably diseases is spread when an animal has some eggs that have been laid into that wound, and it just hasn't been recognized.

00:08:39: And then the animal with its wound—and those associated you know eggs in larvae move to somewhere else–then there's an egg hatched onto larvae –those larvae are going feed on that wound- and they're gonna drop off into the soil…And again if environmental conditions are correct mature into adult flies and continue the whole life cycle.

00:08:58: I think that part about horses, especially in the United States—that is probably scary—is just how much horses themselves move very frequently?

00:09:08: And if that animal again happened to be contaminated with eggs or larvae it could take them with him.

00:09:16: The good and bad are obviously were in summer.

00:09:18: like i said you know new world screwworm likes hot humid conditions.

00:09:22: so right now we're seeing at Texas But obviously it's hot and humid in many areas of the country that if that horse took disease with it, uh...and ended up in Florida, Louisiana Georgia wherever you know.

00:09:34: The conditions potentially could be good for ya know If those larvae drop off And get into this oil but then we can establish more adult flies hatching there.

00:09:44: So its really a horse movement.

00:09:46: That is the concern All

00:09:48: right, well I was feeling pretty good living in Kentucky until you just gave that answer.

00:09:52: Now i'm terrified because it was ninety-five and humid all last week.

00:09:57: I had this exact conversation with someone earlier who's in South Dakota And he was like Well surely?

00:10:02: I am fine!

00:10:03: Actually even if You look at when disease Was here before It went a lot further north than most people thought him When we looked at environmental models Right now.

00:10:12: no offense to our neighbors, but it could reach Canada with the right environmental conditions and just a right slash wrong combination of animal moving environment.

00:10:26: We certainly think about even... a hurricane or storm that essentially blows flies north.

00:10:32: Because like I said, they themselves don't fly super-super far.

00:10:36: but it's how we've seen some other diseases spread.

00:10:38: where you get the right environmental conditions to sweep some of them North at least for next couple months even in Lexington, Kentucky could be an area that potentially could.

00:10:51: Now the good news for you bring on winter because at least when winter comes we can get good hard freezes.

00:10:57: anything less than fifty or forty degree temperatures and soil is ultimately going to kill these eggs.

00:11:03: so it's really like next couple months are gonna tell us a fair amount about spread.

00:11:07: then I think well just honestly need hope for a good hard freeze in many areas this winter and certainly that will help us, uh...in addition to continued use of the sterile fly technique.

00:11:20: So we started talking about it earlier like I said.

00:11:21: you know how was in the fifties-and-sixties.

00:11:24: they kind beat back the disease.

00:11:25: then was maintained.

00:11:27: um..you know last two or three years as seeing the disease marching north again.

00:11:32: We have stepped up production of those sterile flies, so as we're creating more and more of these sterile flys to outbreed them.

00:11:39: it's kind that race between sterile-fly production environmental conditions.

00:11:43: in how much can use those two things for our advantage?

00:11:47: I

00:11:51: say we is if i was part of it, but back when the eradication efforts were first put in place.

00:11:55: It's not like introduction of sterile flies meant two months later We were clear and took years to eradicate this.

00:12:02: so what does this look?

00:12:03: Like for us moving forward?

00:12:05: are we going To be hearing about this talking about this four years to come?

00:12:11: Is it we get a good winter and everything solid where we at?

00:12:15: yeah I feel like you're making maybe negative Nancy Debbie Downer here.

00:12:21: It's not going to be a quick fix, to your point exactly.

00:12:23: when you think about just it takes several generations of flies slowly outbreed.

00:12:27: that is not instantaneous.

00:12:29: so i'd Technology and various other things maybe could make us, you know quote-unquote faster than we were at eradicating the disease in the fifties and sixties.

00:12:39: But flip side of that I think we have a lot more animal movement now.

00:12:42: then we did in fiftys and sixtes.

00:12:44: so yeah this is not going to be like by twenty twenty seven diseases gonna be gone.

00:12:49: We are probably looking at years if decades of trying to get rid of this again.

00:12:55: And I think, you know like that makes it sound scary and horrible and hopeless in all the things.

00:13:02: but i think the flip side is a disease that plenty do deal with all the time.

00:13:11: You know, it's not like for lack of a better analogy—it is not that Ebola is here and every animal will get it.

00:13:17: then they're going to die.

00:13:18: so there isn't anything we can do about it.

00:13:20: The good part about this disease was that you have good husbandry to decrease wounds.

00:13:26: just quick identification of wounds both are at risk or wounds infected.

00:13:31: There were plenty that we could actually treat these animals.

00:13:36: It wasn't.

00:13:37: death sentence gets disease, and overall again it's not like every animal gets disease either.

00:13:44: So yes we are gonna have to be patient in our efforts to eradicate disease but the good thing is there's plenty that we can do even while diseases here.

00:14:07: A music soundtrack designed specifically to reduce stress in horses.

00:14:11: It can be a beneficial tool for any horse that is experiencing stress,

00:14:15: especially

00:14:16: those who may be on stall rest or rehabbing from an injury!

00:14:19: Check out the Behringer-Ingelheim YouTube channel

00:14:22: to listen

00:14:22: and learn more about this free music track.

00:14:25: The safety of GastroGuardPaste has not been determined in pregnant or lactating mares For use in Horses & Fools four weeks of age and older.

00:14:31: Keep This And All Drugs Out Of The Reach Of Children.

00:14:34: In case of ingestion contact a physician.

00:14:36: Caution, federal USA law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

00:14:42: Ulcer guard can be used in horses that weigh at least six hundred pounds.

00:14:45: safety and pregnant mares has not been determined.

00:14:47: Not for use in humans.

00:14:49: keep this and all medications out of the reach Of children.

00:14:51: In case of ingestion contact a physician.

00:14:58: Yeah I want bring you back To The wound topic because i think it's really interesting but It doesn't take a severe wound to get screwworm in it and the majority of horse wounds veterinarians are not involved.

00:15:13: So is that something we need to be educating horse owners on?

00:15:17: Is earlier veterinary intervention for wounds, something you have to be advocating now or is it really just being aware when a wound starts going beyond what was expected they needed to get the vet.

00:15:32: I think obviously if you are currently in Texas or one of our southern states, yeah.

00:15:39: It would advocate for being a little bit more proactively diligent.

00:15:43: but anything that we can do to try and decrease the likelihood of loon so just making sure fences and whatnot are intact, things that your horse might otherwise catch itself on.

00:15:53: Again if you are in an area is at high risk currently for screw worm anything we can do to decrease those wounds.

00:16:00: one of the thing's certainly I'm talking about with producers honestly this both horses as well our livestock producer from a purely veterinary standpoint or their things actually put off in terms of creation of wounds.

00:16:14: So things like castrations, if potentially you can wait until winter your colt is not trying to kill you there are some things that we could do try and at least prevent some wound creation.

00:16:27: And then again In areas that are At high risk right now because they're honestly have been documented cases either You know in your county or nearby Then yeah I would certainly say every horse look them everyday for you know, any sort of even small wound.

00:16:42: And your point is a good one which this doesn't have to be big horse caught himself on the fence and ripped himself stem-to-stern.

00:16:50: Tick bites can again create enough of a small wound to actually attract the flies towards it.

00:17:00: in Central and South America The prep use is an area that certainly we've seen disease.

00:17:06: Am I going to tell everyone, you know climb under there gilding every day and look at their sheaths.

00:17:12: And look for anything?

00:17:13: Please don't get your head kicked off by her horse but certainly if notice a smell discharge.

00:17:20: As opposed to saying, oh I'm just gonna kind of hose it off and see what happens.

00:17:23: you know if you are in one again the states or areas that are at high likelihood i would certainly get a veterinarian involved sooner rather than later.

00:17:31: then obviously your veterinarian is concerned.

00:17:33: Then they will reach out.

00:17:34: state and federal authorities.

00:17:37: Do you need to freak out about every wound?

00:17:44: No.

00:17:45: So there's a little bit of kind.

00:17:46: where are is going increase, how worried do you need be any sort of wound if it safe and in an area that can cover or bandage the wound right on cannon bone like that great.

00:18:00: so decrease likelihood landing on it certainly helpful fly repellent surrounding wounds never gonna be a bad thing to do.

00:18:12: You kind of brought it up in there, little bit if your veterinarian sees something that they should be contacting some local authorities.

00:18:19: also what is a vet looking for and What Do They Do If They See?

00:18:25: Yeah good question.

00:18:26: I guess couple things you know.

00:18:29: one...if see just fly flying you're not going to be able to identify it as a new world.

00:18:34: screw worm adult fly versus, any other fly.

00:18:37: So just the fact that you saw a fly around your horse and maybe landed on a wound should not step one for panic.

00:18:45: The thing is that a veterinarian or you-as-a-horse owner might see.

00:18:48: That would increase risk of concern.

00:18:51: are actually seen maggots or those larvae in the tissue itself.

00:18:57: Before they become larvae when they are still on egg stage, They kind of make almost like a roof tile appearance.

00:19:03: so there's kinda like a whitish flake to the swath of eggs.

00:19:07: that certainly increase suspicion.

00:19:09: and then I said than the larvae it self.

00:19:11: again you're not necessarily gonna be able look at new worlds grew worm larvae or maggot and differentiate from normal horn fly maggot.

00:19:19: but certainly When we see screw worm, maggot infestations or myiasis.

00:19:25: The two things that probably make it a little bit different than the typical maggot Infestation It seems to be more painful To-to the animal and I think some of us again is starting to actually eat live tissue.

00:19:36: So Tissue that is still innervated That's still has blood supply all those sorts thing.

00:19:40: obviously that arguably going to be More Painful.

00:19:42: so Again if either horse owner or veterinarian.

00:19:45: You know, recognizes a wound sees maggots and the animal seems really painful surrounding it is off feed all of those sorts of things that's going to increase likelihood of suspicion.

00:19:54: And then I'm happy to say That i have not personally experienced this but It has been very well described me by multiple veterinarians.

00:20:01: But there was also a very characteristic odor?

00:20:04: And I think as veterinarians right like we All Have Those Like Odor Triggers in our head.

00:20:08: you Know As soon as you Say The word Parvo Whatever Facet Of Veterinary practice urine, like you smell that parvo.

00:20:15: And evidently the screw worm as it is eating and digesting tissue also has a very characteristic odor.

00:20:20: so those would probably be two things-and then just being in an area of known likelihood they all kind of raise that flag.

00:20:27: or we need to call this state veterinarian get them involved again at point there gonna help determine how to actually remove those larvae where to submit them because I guess if we do want to actually type them into sure these are in fact room larvae, not just a traditional maggot.

00:20:44: Your state veterinarian would be able to help determine where those actually get sent based upon where you're at and then as well what sort of treatment and prevention strategies put in

00:20:52: place.".

00:20:53: And then USDA has the whole playbook that they have been developing over the last couple years.

00:20:58: knowing this was coming kind documented, then they're going to take charge in terms of what's called a zone of infestation.

00:21:09: So essentially drawing a twelve kilometer border around that documented case and at that point you know transportation of animals will be restricted.

00:21:18: it doesn't mean it's not happening.

00:21:19: so again yeah that's probably one of the differences in this disease versus some of our other diseases where once we have document cases like nobody can move anywhere do anything.

00:21:30: Animals different requirements depending upon how close they were, what species there are.

00:21:38: If you're a horse versus if your cow or dog or cat to get out of that zone in terms of being inspected documentation any wounds and sort of pharmacological treatment necessary actually move it will be dictated by state and federal authorities.

00:21:57: flip side I think this is probably the thing most relevant, and most pressing to many of our horse owners is that each state in the United States then can have their own requirements.

00:22:10: In terms of an animal coming into their state from a previous State.

00:22:15: uh...that had documented cases.

00:22:16: I feel like i keep picking on Texas.

00:22:18: you know I lived in texas for four years.

00:22:20: I'm very Texas friendly.

00:22:21: um so not pickin any Texans.

00:22:22: it's just where we currently have cases.

00:22:25: So right now You Know I live in Colorado.

00:22:27: Colorado has established guidelines for if your horse was in Texas, you know this is what needs to happen for your horse enter the state of Colorado.

00:22:36: So for anybody again who has horses especially if they've been in texas or have a new mexico uh...you I would tell you to work with your veterinarian and figure out what their requirements are.

00:22:48: any states that will be passing through were coming too as your final destination because they can have there own requirement and then certain states having it where originated in the state of Texas, and now it's coming to Kentucky.

00:23:02: Your horse has to be inspected by a veterinarian upon arrival in the State of

00:23:06: Kentucky.".

00:23:07: So again different states are gonna have different requirements that way.

00:23:10: And let's bounce they keep changing but it is something because those really frequent changes I think best guidance everyone anytime if you're transporting or moving a horse doing whatever Is.

00:23:21: look at most current guidelines You can find multiple places.

00:23:25: so screwworm.gov that is run by the USDA, and has all of information in terms.

00:23:32: current documented cases, different tabs that you can click on for veterinarians.

00:23:37: For animal owners

00:23:39: etc.,

00:23:40: the Equine Disease Communication Center or EDCC also is going to have some fact sheets and guidelines And it will link out how to contact different state veterinarian's.

00:23:52: American Horse Council has an area in its website which links two states requirements who are trying and get the most current information in terms of bringing an animal in or out that state.

00:24:07: The Beringer-Ingolheim website also has a new World Screw Worm tab, links to several sites as well some specific resources within Beringers.

00:24:16: I appreciate you bringin' all those resources.

00:24:18: i think they are amazing places.

00:24:21: I will admit, I've been stuck on the nightmare scenario that you talked about earlier which is every owner across United States now calling a veterinarian.

00:24:29: Every time they saw a fly land on their horse and I'm terrified!

00:24:34: Please don't.

00:24:35: for the sake of all veterinarians everywhere please don't.

00:24:39: And i think the other thing um You know That it's little bit different about these flies.

00:24:44: so again like your not going to use this as part of your decision making protocol but The new world screwworm fly, cochlea omnivorex which actually means man-eater.

00:24:56: Fun little lat.

00:24:57: in fact.

00:24:59: They are drawn to wounds they're not really drawing to like manure beds and whatnot.

00:25:03: so yes good fly strategies.

00:25:06: you know all horse owners who were always trying doing this summer.

00:25:09: You gonna be helpful.

00:25:10: but many of the things that we usually do to try and deter stable flies horn flies etc.

00:25:16: involve manure control.

00:25:18: Those aren't necessarily as helpful or useful with screwworm flies.

00:25:23: So again, especially if you're seeing swarms and swarms of flies around your manure pile... Yeah, that is not screw warm.

00:25:31: That's other issues.

00:25:32: Deal with your manure handling and whatnot there.

00:25:35: but please do not freak out every time you see a fly And like I said especially...I don't want to discourage it in areas outside of the current documented zones because somebody always going have be first documented case any given state.

00:25:48: But let's be real It unlikely to jump from Texas to New Hampshire You know?

00:25:54: I think again really our southern States are going to be the ones that, certainly right now need a little bit more diligent and proactive.

00:26:03: But please don't start calling—and for the love of God, do not call your veterinarian at midnight on holiday because you saw her fly!

00:26:12: This is not emergent that

00:26:14: way.".

00:26:15: So...you talked about being proactive?

00:26:18: What does pro-active look like?

00:26:20: our owners to do on a proactive basis, if this is really a concern for them or if they're closer to those areas where there should be maybe more worried today.

00:26:32: What does proactive look

00:26:33: like?

00:26:34: You know what I said the biggest pro-active things avoiding wounds as much as possible.

00:26:39: so again whether that's you avoiding injury and or putting off, you know elective surgical type procedures are what not.

00:26:47: Are gonna be one thing early recognition of wounds?

00:26:51: And we think that's probably the reason why even in endemic countries We just see less disease in horses.

00:26:58: is just average horse handled much more than the average free-range cattle in terms of, you know how often they're seen by someone.

00:27:09: and let's say You don't see your horse for a week And then you do see her horse.

00:27:12: It does have a wound that again has that odor.

00:27:14: or you see signs.

00:27:15: Then immediately calling the veterinarian.

00:27:17: but I think basic just good horse husbandry Is is really our best proactive technique?

00:27:24: And then from the veterinary side what's the one thing every vet should be doing today In response to this?

00:27:34: Being up on, you know are there documented cases in your area?

00:27:38: and then being a resource to horse owners?

00:27:40: In terms of again some of those movement restrictions and whatnot.

00:27:44: Especially like I said if you are in states that are nowhere close To where they're currently our case is.

00:27:49: That's probably the thing that You can do to alleviate The most amount of stress for both yourself as well As your horse owners has been able to kind help best to guide them or know where to go in terms of getting the most up-to-date information for horse movement, because I think that's going be a thing.

00:28:05: That for the bulk of United States is gonna be biggest headache and at upcoming months you now it was just movements animals shows sales races those sorts things are really just knowing were to find The Best Information.

00:28:18: i think its gonna be probably the Most Important Thing For Most Veterinarians and then like said kind if those states, Texas and New Mexico is just really kind of keeping tabs.

00:28:30: I hate to say check your email but whatever the usual means by which you might get information from your state veterinarian in terms of document cases or new requirements for your area?

00:28:45: So being a Kentucky guy we're getting into that time-of-year where prepping yearlings sale season has coming up on us lot activity going.

00:28:55: Are we going to start seeing changes in the way large events are being held or inspections around those?

00:29:03: Or do you think that's not gonna happen until actually see an equine case.

00:29:06: Yeah.

00:29:07: I mean, I think Youssef and other organizations certainly have been kind of coming up with how to handle it from a competition or like you said just large horse gathering whether that's sale-raised competitions standpoint?

00:29:22: Where could become an issue?

00:29:25: is A documented case in a horse B?

00:29:29: let us be honest most likely will happen in Texas at a barrel race, at a rodeo.

00:29:37: At some sort of competition.

00:29:39: then yeah we probably will start to see more immediate kind of inspection criteria associated with actual competitions or horse gatherings.

00:29:49: Got it I think you know.

00:29:51: that's the part i Wondering here is are we overreacting, right?

00:30:00: Are making too big a deal about this since We haven't seen it in a horse yet and as we've talked About already that tends to be A lower prevalence or incidence In the horse population?

00:30:11: Or are we underplaying It And not doing enough To prevent spread Right now.

00:30:19: The magic Goldilocks I'm Doing at just right Now.

00:30:22: i know there's no

00:30:24: Scientific answer to that,

00:30:26: but I'm curious on your field.

00:30:28: Where do you feel we're at?

00:30:31: I mean...I don't want to say this just be the person saying it like honestly Like i feel like were in right place now which is-i think awareness good You know..i dont' think we should bury our heads into sand and say no we haven seen a case of horse yet.

00:30:45: so we are fine.

00:30:46: We need not have to think about until we do Being proactive because lets be real going to happen.

00:30:54: We know that the flies are here, it's not like they're gonna for whatever reason find horses in the continental United States less tasty than they do with other countries.

00:31:03: so its'gonna happens.

00:31:04: I think being aware of talking about and being proactive is good flip side of that.

00:31:12: locking everything down saying no horse should ever go anywhere move any where all competition should be halted way overreacting, and we're not doing that.

00:31:23: So I personally think they were kind of in a good place right now And really so much.

00:31:30: the conversation specifically around horses is just inspection.

00:31:36: We are not saying go out treat all horses or wrap them in bubble wrap Or whatever It's things.

00:31:45: what should be done as horse owners anyway Which is putting eyeballs on handball Handballs, eyeballs and hands on your horse.

00:31:54: And just looking for wounds or looking for abnormal things you know those are.

00:31:57: yeah maybe we'll find some other thing wrong with our horses too that will benefit them long term if were doing it more proactively.

00:32:05: So a little bit out there question.

00:32:09: I'm going to ask you an old pine again

00:32:11: Oh boy Do i need my crystal ball?

00:32:13: Yes You absolutely do For this.

00:32:15: so square worm.

00:32:16: We kind of knew the playbook That worked previously.

00:32:19: But is there anything we've learned from this that we can use as we look towards other foreign animal diseases, exotic diseases that were concerned about?

00:32:32: That...that we've learnt how it has progressed and entered into the

00:32:35: U.S.?

00:32:40: From a purely horse standpoint, if we look at movement of horses internationally.

00:32:48: We do know that bringing horses from other countries whether we're talking about screwworm or CEM pyroplasmosis whatever those various quote unquote foreign animal diseases are.

00:33:01: I think we've done good job most of them keeping them out the

00:33:04: U.S.,

00:33:05: by having pretty good import requirements and inspection in quarantine when horses are coming in, so I think that has served us well certainly for horses being transported by air into United States.

00:33:19: just really continuing to lean on land movement across borders as well is much like explaining the why to people.

00:33:29: Like everybody gets frustrated when, you know I just bought this fancy horse and i can't wait to get him here?

00:33:34: And then yeah Why does he have to stay in this import

00:33:35: facility?".

00:33:36: You're like,"I want them come to my bar so that they could ride

00:33:38: me.".

00:33:38: Start playing with all of money that I've invested into an animal which was imported from here.

00:33:44: So maybe it's a chance for us re-educate our owners as we do.

00:33:50: quarantine inspections because we are trying keep these things out is an issue for every potential animal.

00:33:59: And I think we learned so much about just communication strategies and getting factual information to people in a somewhat quick manner And I think EDCC has done a good job of that.

00:34:12: The Herpes outbreak, the end of last year in twenty-twenty five, EDCC certainly helped there and this is just another highlight if we all work together across agencies as well.

00:34:25: so obviously within equine industry it's AEP EDCC but looking at USDA FDA EPA you know everyone works together communicates has kind of a united front in terms of factual information.

00:34:39: I think that's probably something we could learn and use to apply other diseases or conditions as they come, is just having plan some cohesive messaging.

00:34:48: Hopefully it would be nice if you eradicate everything but that is unlikely to happen obviously And certainly when do look at more horses.

00:35:00: We talked about earlier kind of fear in the

00:35:03: U.S.,

00:35:04: right now, from a horse standpoint just because horses move so much continentally within United States.

00:35:08: but if we look at international movement of horses you know it's increasing every day in terms how many horses get on airplanes and travel whether that is Europe Asia Africa South America wherever it might be.

00:35:21: So we do need to be aware there are all these different things out there.

00:35:25: There s reason why we do quarantines and inspections And its important try prevent this thing becoming endemic here.

00:35:33: Yeah, and what you've talked about is somewhat unique to the horse population in the US as how frequently horses co-mingle compared other animals right?

00:35:44: We're constantly making new groups of horses getting them together every week And even the same facility will see different groups of Horses Every Week.

00:35:53: So there are some unique challenges that the equine population faces That most of the other animal species don't.

00:35:59: I'm going to say this because we work together and so, um...I know it's very important.

00:36:05: you have the last word.

00:36:06: So is there anything that you want add?

00:36:09: To our conversation today about screwworms that we haven't covered.

00:36:13: I love when i am given

00:36:14: a last word!

00:36:15: I mean really..it isn't just like cause for panic.

00:36:20: It sounds like super scary disease.

00:36:24: Nobody likes talk about screw worm or maggots You know, the fact that it's Latin name is man-eater.

00:36:31: All of that creates fear.

00:36:33: but really this not a disease to be terrified because like I said we have good prevention and treatment strategies.

00:36:40: It does not fatal every animal when its caught early.

00:36:44: There are plenty that can do.

00:36:45: We've eradicated before.

00:36:47: there no reason to predict why won't able again?

00:36:50: so Again i think it should be aware or diligent.

00:36:54: look at your horse, deal with any wounds that you're seeing.

00:36:56: Try and prevent

00:36:57: wounds.".

00:36:58: But it's also not a time to throw your hands up in the air and say I'm selling all my horses!

00:37:03: I don't want to do horses ever

00:37:04: again!".

00:37:05: It's not sort of a disease to be terrified of—it is really just one to be aware of and to be proactive into work with your veterinarian or state and federal authorities.

00:37:16: but this isn't about being

00:37:17: panicked.

00:37:19: Excellent.

00:37:19: Totally agree, I think we'd be having a very different conversation if this was a livestock podcast.

00:37:25: but absolutely appreciate the final comments there.

00:37:29: Dr.

00:37:30: Roos thank you so much for taking the time to talk me today about this and i'm sure our listeners have had a lot of questions.

00:37:36: that thing we've answered a lot here for them why uv answered.

00:37:40: ive asked a lot.

00:37:48: Thanks for listening to Ride Along with Unbridled Access.

00:37:52: Subscribe today and explore more episodes wherever you get your podcasts!

00:37:56: As of late September, the USDA had confirmed fifty new-world screwworm detections in the United States — including two equine cases.

00:38:05: For latest status updates visit ScrewWorm.gov.

00:38:09: us-equ-zero

00:38:09: two

00:38:10: three two dash to zero two six.