Flesh-eating screwworm arrives in US with first case detected in Texas cattle
Summary
A parasite called the New World Screwworm has been found in Texas cattle for the first time since 1966. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working with Texas officials to control its spread by creating quarantine zones and releasing sterile flies to stop reproduction.Key Facts
- The New World Screwworm is a parasite that feeds on warm-blooded animals by laying eggs in open wounds.
- When eggs hatch, larvae eat living flesh and can kill animals if untreated.
- The parasite was found in a three-week-old calf near La Pryor, Texas, about 30 miles from the US-Mexico border.
- This is the first case in the US in 60 years; the parasite has been spreading in Mexico for the past year.
- The USDA and Texas authorities set up a 20 km (12.4 miles) quarantine zone to detect and stop spread.
- Millions of sterile flies will be released; sterile females mate once and lay unfertile eggs, reducing screwworm numbers.
- The USDA says it delayed the parasite's arrival by about a year through efforts in Central America and Mexico.
- Texas Agriculture Commissioner criticized the USDA for moving slowly and relying only on sterile fly releases.
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