US confirms New World screwwormUS confirms New World screwworm in Texas calf
US agriculture officials confirmed New World screwworm in a Texas calf on June 3, the first animal case in the United States in years.
The detection has triggered quarantine steps and faster efforts to contain the parasite because it can spread through livestock and threaten cattle production and prices.
US Agriculture Officials
US officials describe the case as an urgent animal-health threat and say containment measures are being expanded. They point to quarantine zones, sterile-fly releases, and new production capacity as the main tools to stop further spread.
Texas Agriculture Officials
Texas officials say the parasite advanced through Mexico faster than expected and argue the federal response has not moved quickly enough. They want broader use of available tools to protect ranchers and the cattle industry.
- The screwworm was once a major livestock problem across the Americas before eradication efforts pushed it back.
- Sterile insect programs have also been used against fruit flies and mosquitoes.
- Warmer temperatures can let insect pests survive farther north than they did in past decades.
