The USDA has confirmed the first case of New World screwworm in South Texas, marking the parasite's first detected breach of the US-Mexico border. The flesh-eating fly larvae were found in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, raising concerns for the US livestock industry. This comes after recent detections in Mexico, including one just 25 miles from the border, despite the parasite having been eradicated from the US in the 1960s.
Background
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including humans. It was eradicated from the US in the 1960s through a successful control program, saving the livestock industry an estimated $900 million annually.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Jun 4, 2026 at 10:46 AM
- Score
- 6.0 / 10