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. 
