US confirms three new cases of flesh-eating screwworm in livestock
Summary
The US Department of Agriculture confirmed three new cases of New World screwworm in Texas and New Mexico livestock. This parasite causes serious wounds in animals and threatens the cattle industry in Texas, leading state officials to increase their response efforts.Key Facts
- Three new cases of New World screwworm were confirmed: two in Texas (La Salle and Gillespie counties) and one in New Mexico (Lea county).
- A previously reported case in a dog was reclassified as the first case detected in New Mexico.
- New World screwworm larvae burrow into warm-blooded animals’ living tissue, causing severe wounds and suffering.
- The parasite affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and rarely, humans.
- Texas governor Greg Abbott raised the emergency response level to combat the spread.
- The US-Mexico border is closed to live cattle imports due to the disease, affecting the $100 billion US beef industry.
- The disease spread comes amid staffing shortages at the USDA’s animal health department, raising concerns about response readiness.
- The US beef industry has reached its lowest point in 75 years partly because of this outbreak and trade restrictions.
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