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KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) — As an infestation of screwworms spreads in the Florida Keys, agriculture officials are trying to keep the parasites out of Georgia.
A Florida Department of Agriculture news release said Wednesday that new restrictions are being placed on livestock and pets being moved from Florida to Georgia. The release says animals should be carefully examined for signs of screwworm and treated appropriately.
Animals coming from the quarantined area in the Florida Keys are not permitted to enter Georgia except by special permit issued by the state veterinarian.
Officials confirmed the presence of New World screwworm in the Florida Keys earlier this month. The screwworms are maggots that eat livestock and pets alive. Since July officials say they've killed about 60 Key deer.
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