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A flesh-eating cattle parasite is spreading in Texas as new far-flung screwworm cases are found

A flesh-eating cattle parasite is spreading in Texas as new far-flung screwworm cases are found

Two more cases of the New World screwworm have been confirmed in Texas, demonstrating the difficulty of stopping the spread of a pest that potentially could devastate the nation’s cattle industry

A flesh-eating cattle parasite is spreading in Texas as 2 far-flung screwworm cases are found

A flesh-eating cattle parasite is spreading in Texas as 2 far-flung screwworm cases are found

Two more cases of the New World screwworm have been confirmed in Texas, demonstrating the difficulty of stopping the spread of a pest that potentially could devastate the nation’s cattle industry

Two more Texas screwworm infections found in animals far apart, USDA says

Two more Texas screwworm infections found in animals far apart, USDA says

Two more cases of the New World screwworm have been confirmed in Texas, demonstrating the difficulty of stopping the spread of a pest that potentially could devestate the nation’s cattle industry

Texas Faces Economic Threat as Second Screwworm Infection Confirmed

Texas Faces Economic Threat as Second Screwworm Infection Confirmed

A second case of the flesh-eating screwworm fly has been confirmed in Texas, prompting a state of disaster declaration by Governor Greg Abbott. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working with state officials to contain the spread of the parasite, which poses a significant threat to Texas's cattle industry. The screwworm larvae feed on the living flesh of warm-blooded animals, causing severe economic implications for cattle ranchers. The USDA is dispersing sterile flies to prevent reproduction and further spread. The infections are the first detected in the U.S. since the 1960s, with movement restrictions and enhanced surveillance in place.

Texas Faces Second Screwworm Infection, Prompting Livestock Ban by Canada

Texas Faces Second Screwworm Infection, Prompting Livestock Ban by Canada

A second case of the flesh-eating screwworm fly has been confirmed in Texas, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). This follows an initial case in a one-year-old calf, prompting aggressive measures to control the parasite's spread in the state. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced collaboration with federal authorities to mitigate the spread of the fly, which affects warm-blooded animals and humans. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is dispersing sterile screwworm flies to prevent reproduction. This is the first detection of the new world screwworm (NWS) in the US since the 1960s. The USDA assures that the US food supply remains safe, as NWS do not infest food sources. Canada has temporarily banned livestock from Texas, citing the infections, although Canadian officials believe the colder climate will prevent NWS from becoming a problem there.

USDA Detects New World Screwworm in Texas, Raising Concerns for Livestock

USDA Detects New World Screwworm in Texas, Raising Concerns for Livestock

Federal agricultural inspectors have identified a case of New World screwworm larvae in a calf in south Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border. This detection has raised alarms due to the screwworm's history of causing significant harm to livestock by burrowing into the flesh of living animals. The USDA has been monitoring the movement of this parasitic fly, which has been migrating north from Central America to Mexico since 2023. The screwworm was previously eradicated in the U.S. in 1966 through a joint program with Mexico, utilizing the sterile insect technique. However, the recent detection indicates a potential re-invasion, prompting the USDA to take proactive measures to contain the pest and prevent widespread infestation.

USDA Confirms Second Screwworm Case in Texas, Canada Imposes Livestock Import Restrictions

USDA Confirms Second Screwworm Case in Texas, Canada Imposes Livestock Import Restrictions

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed a second case of New World screwworm in Texas, found in a calf in Zavala County. This follows an earlier detection in the same region. The screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, poses a threat to livestock, wildlife, and pets. In response, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has temporarily restricted livestock imports from affected U.S. areas. The USDA assures that the U.S. food supply remains safe, as screwworms do not infest food products. Efforts to control the pest include releasing sterile insects to suppress its population.

Two more Texas screwworm infections found in animals far apart, USDA says

Two more Texas screwworm infections found in animals far apart, USDA says

Two more cases of the New World screwworm have been confirmed in Texas, demonstrating the difficulty of stopping the spread of a pest that potentially could devestate the nation’s cattle industry

USDA Confirms New Screwworm Case in Texas, Canada Bans Livestock Imports

USDA Confirms New Screwworm Case in Texas, Canada Bans Livestock Imports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed a second case of the New World screwworm in Texas, specifically in Zavala County. This parasitic fly, whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, poses a significant threat to livestock. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) detected the infestation after testing several suspect cases. In response, a quarantine zone has been established around the affected areas to prevent the movement of animals without inspection. The screwworm was initially detected in Mexico in 2024, and efforts have been ongoing to prevent its spread into Texas, a major cattle-producing state. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expanded a statewide disaster declaration to mobilize resources for combating the outbreak, including the use of sterile flies to disrupt the screwworm's reproductive cycle. Meanwhile, Canada has imposed a temporary ban on livestock imports from Texas to mitigate the risk of the parasite spreading.

Texas governor wants to speed up work on a fly-breeding factory to fight a cattle parasite

Texas governor wants to speed up work on a fly-breeding factory to fight a cattle parasite

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is concerned that a new factory isn’t expected to start work for more than a year on mitigating the New World screwworm fly infestation in his state

A flesh-eating parasite has arrived in the US. Can we stop it?

A flesh-eating parasite has arrived in the US. Can we stop it?

Why one infected calf has America’s beef industry on edge.

Texas ranchers on edge after screwworm parasite detected in calf

Texas ranchers on edge after screwworm parasite detected in calf

By Heather Schlitz LA PRYOR, Texas, June 5 (Reuters) - The quiet Texas cattle town of La Pryor has become ground zero in the fight against screwworm after the first U.S. case in decades was detected there, prompting a livestock quarantine and putting ranchers and pet owners on edge.