Myiasis
Myiasis Causes
Three main families of flies are primarily cause economically significant myiasis in livestock and sometimes, on certain occasions, in humans. These are the Oestroidea or botflies, Calliphoridae or blowflies and Sarcophagidae or fleshflies. Sometimes, other families are also involved such as the Anisopodidae, Piophilidae and Stratiomyidae.
Myiasis Definition
Myiasis is a disease affecting both animals and humans resulting from parasitic dipterous fly larvae which is feeding on the host's living or necrotic tissues. Other colloquial terms used for the disease Myiasis are fly-strike and fly blown. Fritz Zumpt, a German entomologist described this disease as "the infestation of live human and vertebrate animals with dipterous larvae, which at least for a period, feed on the host's dead of living tissue, liquid body substances, or ingested food."
Myiasis Treatment
When an infection is on its way, the larvae must first be eliminated by applying pressure in the area of the lesion. Typically, forceps should be used. The wound must then be cleansed and disinfected. Preventive measures and control are vital to eliminate risks of reinfection. Livestock may be treated by using slow release boluses that contains ivermectin. This can provide protection for a long period of time against development of larvae. Drenching or dipping the sheep in insecticide may be done in order to avoid growth of the larvae.