New World Screwworm Threatens U.S. Cattle Industry Amidst Existing Strains
The New World screwworm has been detected in the U.S. for the first time in six decades, posing a new threat to the American cattle industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of the parasite in a calf in La Pryor, Texas. This development adds to the challenges faced by cattle producers, who are already dealing with trade disputes, low herd sizes, and policy impacts from the Trump administration. The screwworm's larvae consume live flesh, affecting livestock and potentially humans. Texas has imposed a quarantine zone to control the spread, and there are calls for President Trump to declare a national emergency.