New World Screwworm - Information for Healthcare Providers (Live 11.05.2025)

Includes a Live Web Event on 11/05/2025 at 12:00 PM (CST)

Summary: This session will review the clinical features, specimen handling, epidemiologic clues, and reporting steps for New World screwworm myiasis so clinicians can recognize when to consider this rare but serious parasitic infestation, emphasizing that common wound etiologies remain far more likely and that screwworm should be a low-probability diagnosis except when compatible wounds, visible larvae, and recent travel/exposure to endemic areas are present.

Objectives: At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to...

Recognize key signs of New World screwworm myiasis and when to suspect it.
Manage initial bedside care: remove larvae, care for the wound, and preserve specimens.
Report suspected cases and communicate relevant travel or animal-exposure history to appropriate officials

Intended Audience: Healthcare professionals, community health workers, and anyone interested in learning more about the topic

Andrew Hennenfent, DVM, MPH, DACVPM

State Public Health Veterinarian

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Andrew Hennenfent, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, is the State Public Health Veterinarian for Iowa, overseeing zoonotic disease prevention and response. Dr. Hennenfent completed an applied epidemiology fellowship in infectious disease at the District of Columbia Department of Health, then oversaw the city’s emerging and zoonotic disease program and served as the city’s public health veterinarian. After joining the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Hennenfent oversaw the Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Program, leading planning and response efforts for antimicrobial stewardship efforts and infection prevention technical assistance provided to Iowa healthcare personnel to improve infection control practices in all settings. Prior to joining Iowa HHS Dr. Hennenfent worked for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS).

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Minnesota Medical Association and AgriSafe Network. The Minnesota Medical Association (MMA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Minnesota Medical Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center

The University of Cincinnati, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, Education and Research Center offers contact hours for this activity. Upon completing the evaluation, learners will receive a certificate of completion. This course can meet continuing education requirements for a variety of professionals including: