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Published Date: 2013-05-23 18:23:41
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Old world screwworm, ovine - Iraq: (NI) OIE
Archive Number: 20130523.1733037

OLD WORLD SCREWWORM, OVINE - IRAQ: (NINAWA) OIE
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Date: Tue 21 May 2013
Source: OIE, WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database), weekly disease information 2013; 26(21) [edited]
http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=13475


Old world screwworm (_Chrysomya bezziana_), Iraq
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Information received on (and dated) 21 May 2013 from Dr Salah Fadhil Abbas, Director General, Animal Health Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Bagdad, Iraq

Summary
Report type: immediate notification
Date of start of the event: 8 May 2013
Date of pre-confirmation of the event: 12 May 2013
Report date: 21 May 2013
Date submitted to OIE: 21 May 2013
Reason for notification: reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence: 2008
Manifestation of disease: clinical disease
Causal agent: _Chrysomya bezziana_
Nature of diagnosis: suspicion, laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country

New outbreaks (1)
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1
Outbreak 1 Rabia, Ninawa
Date of start of the outbreak: 8 May 2013
Outbreak status: continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: farm
Total animals affected:
Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Destroyed / Slaughtered
Sheep / 200 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0

Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive

Control measures
Measures applied: screening, treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied: no other measures

Diagnostic test results
Laboratory name and type: Central Laboratory (national laboratory)
Species / Test / Test date / Result
Sheep / microscopic examination of larvae / 12 May 2013 / Positive

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[The location of the outbreak is indicated on the map available at the source URL above. [Ancient name: Nineveh. - Mod.JW]

Old World screwworm (OWS) is a disease caused by _Chrysomya bezziana_, a fly which is an obligate parasite of mammals during its larval stages. OWS is one of the internationally reportable diseases included in OIE's list of Multiple Species Diseases. The internationally agreed requirements pertaining to OWS are specified in chapter 8.8 of OIE's Terrestrial Animal Health Code. The current version of this chapter deals also with New World screwworm, caused by _Cochliomyia hominivorax_.

Larvae feeding on the skin and underlying tissues of the host cause a condition known as wound or traumatic myiasis, which can be fatal. Infestations are generally acquired at sites of previous wounding, due to natural causes or to animal husbandry practices, but they may also occur in the mucous membranes of body orifices.

Female flies are attracted to wounds at the edges of which each female lays an average of 175 eggs. The larvae emerge within 12-24 hours and immediately begin to feed, burrowing head-downwards into the wound. After growth involving 2 moults, the larvae leave the wound and drop to the ground into which they burrow to pupate. The duration of the life-cycle off the host is temperature dependent, being shorter at higher temperatures, and the whole cycle may be completed in less than 3 weeks in the tropics.

Treatment is generally effected by application of organophosphorus insecticides into infested wounds, both to kill larvae and to provide a residual protection against re-infestation. Preventive measures include the spraying or dipping of susceptible livestock with organophosphorus compounds and, more recently, use of avermectins as subcutaneous injections to animals "at risk." Strict control of the movement of animals out of affected areas also acts as a preventive measure.

For further information, subscribers are referred to chapter 2.1.10, "New world screwworm (_Cochliomyia hominivorax_) and old world screwworm (_Chrysomya bezziana_)", in OIE's Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, available online at http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/2.01.10_SCREWW.pdf.

A map, presenting the distribution of predicted OWS risk for livestock in the Near East, based on eco-climatic suitability, was issued in 2008 by the FAO and is available at http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/foto/2008/OWS_map.gif. - Mod.AS]

[Life cycle photos of _Chrysomya bezziana_
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdogRjW-4uw/TlrefcO4ydI/AAAAAAAAAfg/vUFTRwHtg8I/s640/Screen+shot+2011-08-29+at+01.32.37.png
- Mod.JW

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/6_7X.]

See Also

2009
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Screwworm myiasis, animal - Yemen (03) 20091112.3918
Screwworm myiasis, animal - Yemen (02) 20090930.3403
2008
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Screwworm myiasis, animal - Yemen (04): human susp. 20081231.4117
Screwworm myiasis, animal - Yemen (03): conf., FAO 20080413.1343
Screwworm myiasis, human, animal - Yemen, susp., RFI 20080222.0722
2005
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Iraq, veterinary services: FAO 20050531.1509
1998
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Screwworm, eradicated - Kuwait 19981115.2212
Old World screwworm (Chrysomya bessiana) - Kuwait 19980222.0343
Screwworm - Iraq 19980129.0195
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