Flesh-Eating Parasite Reemerges in Texas, Threatening Livestock and Economy
The New World screwworm fly, a flesh-eating parasite, has been confirmed in Texas for the first time since 1966. The parasite's larvae consume live tissue, posing a severe threat to livestock, wildlife, pets, and even humans. Two cases have been identified in young calves in Zavala County, Texas, sparking concerns about the potential economic impact on the state's $17 billion cattle industry. The parasite, previously eradicated in the U.S. through sterile fly releases, has reemerged due to warmer temperatures and reduced cold snaps, which historically limited its spread. Federal and state authorities have been monitoring the fly's progression from Mexico, where thousands of infestations have been reported since 2024. Experts attribute the fly's resurgence to climate change, which has expanded its suitable habitat northward. 
