Key facts
- The first U.S. case of New World screwworm in decades was detected in a calf in Zavala County, Texas.
- A livestock quarantine has been implemented.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working to prevent the parasite's spread.
- Officials state the parasite is not a food safety risk and is not transmissible like a virus.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster and asked the federal government to speed up the completion of a sterile fly production facility.
- A second case of a flesh-eating screwworm parasite was confirmed in Texas.
The 'new world screwworm,' a parasitic infestation, has been detected in a baby cow in Texas. This marks the first U.S. case in decades, with the detection occurring in La Pryor, Texas. As a result, a livestock quarantine has been implemented. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed the single case and stated that the agency is actively working to prevent the parasite's spread. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials provided an update, emphasizing that food safety is not at risk and the parasite is not transmissible like a virus. The presence of the screwworm poses a significant threat to the Texas cattle industry, raising concerns among ranchers. Governor Abbott declared a state of disaster and requested federal assistance to expedite the completion of a sterile fly production facility. The USDA confirmed a second case of the parasite in a one-month-old calf in Zavala County. According to the USDA, the New World screwworm has been detected in Zavala County, Texas. U.S. officials have confirmed the presence of a flesh-eating maggot in the United States that has the potential to devastate livestock populations and, as a result, send beef prices spiking.