New World Screwworm Makes Comeback in States Surrounding Oklahoma, Raising Livestock Concerns
The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite once eradicated from the U.S., is making a comeback, with over 120 animal detections since June, primarily in states surrounding Oklahoma, including Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. This marks the highest number of cases the U.S. has seen in four decades. The parasite lays its eggs in open wounds, and its larvae feed on an animal's living tissue, posing a significant threat to livestock. While there are no confirmed cases in Oklahoma as of Tuesday, experts from Oklahoma State University, including Dr. Jonathan Cammack, state extension specialist, express concern about the parasite hitching a ride into the state, despite colder temperatures potentially deterring natural infestation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) previously fought the parasite by releasing sterile flies to prevent reproduction, successfully pushing it out of the U.S. and Central America, but the screwworm reappeared in 2022, with the exact cause unknown.
