Flesh-eating Screwworm Detected in Texas Calf, Raising Concerns for Cattle Industry
Flesh-eating screwworm found in Texas calf

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The New World screwworm, a dangerous flesh-eating parasite, has been identified in a calf in south Texas, marking the first occurrence in U.S. livestock since 1966. The USDA is implementing measures to contain and eradicate the parasite to protect the cattle industry.
- 01The New World screwworm was confirmed in a calf in south Texas, marking the first case in U.S. livestock since 1966.
- 02Screwworms are parasitic flies that lay eggs in open wounds, leading to severe tissue damage and potential death of the host.
- 03The USDA has established a 12.4-mile quarantine zone around the infected calf to prevent further spread.
- 04Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that more cases could devastate the already shrinking U.S. cattle herd.
- 05The U.S. has been on alert for screwworms since their spread through Mexico was noted in 2024.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the presence of the New World screwworm in a calf located in south Texas, marking the first detection of this flesh-eating parasite in U.S. livestock since 1966. The screwworm, a parasitic fly, lays eggs in open wounds on warm-blooded animals, leading to the hatching of larvae that burrow through living flesh, potentially resulting in death if untreated. Although human cases are rare, the parasite poses a significant threat to livestock. The USDA has taken immediate action by establishing a 12.4-mile quarantine zone around the infected calf and is increasing monitoring efforts. They plan to release millions of sterile screwworm flies to control the population. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned that if more cases are identified, it could severely impact the already diminished U.S. cattle herd, which is at its lowest level since the 1950s. The U.S. has been proactively preparing for the screwworm's arrival since its detection in Mexico in 2024.
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The detection of the screwworm could lead to significant economic repercussions for the cattle industry in Texas and beyond.
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