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USDA Battles Screwworm Parasite Threatening American Cattle Industry

USDA Battles Screwworm Parasite Threatening American Cattle Industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is intensifying efforts to combat the resurgence of the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that poses a significant threat to American cattle. The screwworm, which was previously eradicated in the U.S., has reappeared, with larvae recently discovered in Texas and New Mexico. The USDA has been using a sterile-insect technique since the 1950s to control the screwworm population, involving the release of sterilized flies to reduce the breeding population. However, the current production capacity for sterile flies is limited, with only a Panamanian facility capable of producing 100 million flies weekly. The resurgence of the screwworm is attributed to factors such as illegal cattle trafficking, which has facilitated the parasite's northward spread from Central America.
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USDA Battles Screwworm Outbreak Threatening Cattle Industry

USDA Battles Screwworm Outbreak Threatening Cattle Industry

The New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that poses a significant threat to livestock, has re-emerged in the United States, particularly affecting cattle in Texas and New Mexico. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified larvae in several animals, including calves and a goat, marking the first significant outbreak in 60 years. The screwworm larvae burrow into the flesh of warm-blooded animals, causing severe damage. The USDA is combating the spread by releasing sterile flies to reduce the screwworm population. This method, which has been effective in the past, involves sterilizing flies with radiation and releasing them to mate with wild populations, thereby reducing their numbers over time. The resurgence of the screwworm comes at a time when the U.S. cattle herd is already at its smallest since 1951, exacerbated by drought conditions.
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USDA Deploys Sterile Flies to Combat Screwworm Threat in U.S. Cattle Industry

USDA Deploys Sterile Flies to Combat Screwworm Threat in U.S. Cattle Industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is deploying sterile flies to areas affected by the New World screwworm fly, a flesh-eating parasite that poses a significant threat to the U.S. cattle industry. This marks the first time in over 50 years that the screwworm has been detected in Texas, with at least five cases confirmed. The screwworm fly, which can cause severe damage to livestock, is a major concern for the $113 billion cattle industry. The USDA's strategy involves releasing sterile flies to interrupt the breeding cycle of the screwworm, thereby reducing its population and preventing further spread.
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A flesh-eating cattle parasite spreads beyond Texas as new screwworm cases are found

A flesh-eating cattle parasite spreads beyond Texas as new screwworm cases are found

Three more cases of the New World screwworm have been confirmed, including one outside Texas, demonstrating the difficulty of stopping a pest that could potentially devastate the nation’s cattle industry
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USDA Deploys Sterile Flies to Combat Screwworm Outbreak Threatening U.S. Cattle Industry

USDA Deploys Sterile Flies to Combat Screwworm Outbreak Threatening U.S. Cattle Industry

The USDA is responding to a screwworm outbreak by deploying sterile flies to affected areas in the U.S. This action comes after at least five cases of the New World screwworm fly were confirmed, posing a threat to the $113 billion U.S. cattle industry. The screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, has not been seen in Texas since 1966. The USDA's strategy involves releasing sterile flies to interrupt the breeding cycle of the screwworm, aiming to eradicate the parasite and protect livestock.
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USDA Confirms New World Screwworm Cases in Texas and New Mexico, Threatening Cattle Industry

USDA Confirms New World Screwworm Cases in Texas and New Mexico, Threatening Cattle Industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed three new cases of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, in Texas and New Mexico. This brings the total number of cases to five, including three calves and a goat in Texas, and a dog in New Mexico. The screwworm, a fly larva that consumes living flesh, poses a significant threat to the cattle industry. The USDA has implemented a quarantine zone around affected areas to prevent further spread. The parasite was previously contained at the southern end of Panama through a program that released sterile male flies to control the population. The recent cases have prompted increased vigilance and inspections in the affected regions.
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USDA and Texas Officials Respond to New World Screwworm Detection in Texas Calf

USDA and Texas Officials Respond to New World Screwworm Detection in Texas Calf

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed the detection of New World screwworm in a calf in Zavala County, Texas, marking the first U.S. case in decades. This parasite, known for infesting and consuming the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, poses a significant threat to livestock. In response, the USDA has established a unified incident command with the Texas Animal Health Commission, implementing a 20-kilometer quarantine zone around the detection site. Measures include movement restrictions, enhanced surveillance, and the release of sterile screwworm flies to control the population. The USDA emphasizes that the U.S. food supply remains safe, as the parasite does not infest meat or other food products.
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USDA Reports New Screwworm Cases in Texas, Threatening Cattle Industry

USDA Reports New Screwworm Cases in Texas, Threatening Cattle Industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed two additional cases of the New World screwworm in Texas, highlighting the challenges in controlling this flesh-eating parasite. The screwworm, a fly larva that consumes living tissue, was found in a calf and a dog in La Salle and Andrews counties. This brings the total to four confirmed cases in Texas, following initial detections in two calves in south Texas. The USDA has been actively working to prevent the spread of screwworm since its detection in Mexico in late 2024. Historically, screwworm was a significant issue for cattle ranchers in the U.S. until it was eradicated in the 1960s. The USDA is employing a strategy of breeding sterile male flies to curb the population, a method that has been effective in the past. However, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has criticized the federal response, suggesting that a poison bait could be a quicker solution, despite potential risks to other species.
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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
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Screwworm Outbreak in Texas Could Affect Beef Prices

Screwworm Outbreak in Texas Could Affect Beef Prices

Screwworm Outbreak in Texas Could Affect Beef Prices
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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.
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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.