The United States has confirmed five cases of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that feeds on the flesh of warm-blooded animals, including livestock. The first infestation was reported last week in Texas, affecting three calves and a goat, with a dog in New Mexico also confirmed as infected. Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, emphasized the need for vigilance among animal owners to help protect livestock and community health. In response to the infestations, officials have established a 20-kilometre quarantine zone to contain the spread. The screwworm was previously eradicated in the US during the 1960s and 1970s, but cases have resurfaced. While the overall risk to the public remains low, individuals in affected areas, particularly those in close contact with livestock, should be cautious and report any suspicious wounds. Symptoms of infection include painful sores that do not heal and the presence of maggots in open wounds.