Ladyville Residents Alarmed by Fly Infestation Amid Screwworm Fears

Ladyville residents have expressed concern on social media about an influx of flies, with some speculating about a connection to the New World screwworm (NWS) and potential health risks. Experts from the Ministry of Health, however, have clarified that while the situation is a nuisance, the public’s concerns about communicable diseases and effective control methods are misplaced.  Contrary to the belief that the flies themselves attack people, the New World screwworm fly is not a disease vector, and the flies shown on various social media posts are not screwworm flies.  The flies linked to the screwworm have a metallic blue color with orange eyes.  The issue with these flies arise when the female flies lay their eggs in the open wounds of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The hatched larvae, or “screwworms,” then feed on the living tissue, a condition called myiasis.  Vector Control Officer Kim Bautista explains that for humans, there is no risk if they do not have open wounds or injuries. The flies are simply attracted to existing wounds to lay eggs. This means that unlike mosquitoes or other insects that transmit diseases through bites, NWS does not spread communicable illnesses. The presence of the flies alone is not a health threat in the way a mosquito carrying dengue or malaria is.  According to health authorities, to protect yourself and your family, the most important precaution is to keep all open wounds covered and clean. Ensuring any cuts, scrapes, or injuries are properly bandaged is the most effective way to prevent NWS flies from laying eggs.  Regarding the community’s request for widespread spraying, Bautista clarified that space spraying is not an effective control method for flies. Unlike mosquitoes, which are often active at night when sprays are most effective, flies are active during the day. The heat and sunlight quickly evaporate the spray, rendering it useless. Instead, he recommends traditional methods for controlling flies around homes and businesses, such as the use of fly tape, granular baits and maintaining a clean environment by properly disposing of garbage and keeping food waste covered.  To date, Belize has confirmed the NWS infection of two humans.