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Meat-eating parasite reaches Texas in the USA
The New World screw worm was confirmed in a three-week-old calf in Texas. Authorities have implemented quarantine, sterile fly release, and measures to prevent spread.
The meat-eating parasite, which was kept away from livestock for decades in the USA, the New World screw worm, has been detected in Texas. The case was confirmed in a three-week-old calf in La Pryor near the Mexican border.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that this is the first confirmed case in Texas since 1966 and the only confirmed example detected in the country so far.
Alarm raised for livestock
The parasite's larvae feed on the living tissues of warm-blooded animals. According to experts, the parasite can also infect humans and pets, but such cases are rare and pose a low risk to the general public.
Authorities indicate that the parasite does not pose a direct threat to food safety but its spread could impose billions of dollars in costs on the cattle industry. It is also noted that additional pressure could be placed on cattle prices, which are already near record levels.
Advanced northward through Mexico
The case came after months of warnings from agricultural officials in the USA and Texas and representatives of the cattle industry. The parasite had advanced northward in Mexico, approaching the US border.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller criticized the federal response as slow and called for a stronger reaction. Miller also said that President Donald Trump should take direct control of the process.
Sterile fly method activated in response
The US Department of Agriculture announced that it has started releasing sterile male flies in the area to stop the spread. The agency also reported significant investments in new sterile fly production facilities in Texas.
A quarantine zone of about 12 miles was established around the detection site. The movement of warm-blooded animals, as well as farm and domestic animals, has been restricted.
State veterinarians are urging farmers and animal owners in the quarantine area to comply with movement restrictions. Authorities state that eradication efforts continue and that mass spread is not expected due to preparations.
Does not spread like a disease
The New World screw worm does not transmit directly from one animal to another like contagious animal diseases. Female flies lay their eggs on open wounds or body openings.
Larvae hatching from the eggs enter living tissue and feed, potentially causing severe infections and death if untreated. This makes the case even more notable as the US cattle herd is at its lowest level in 75 years.
Human case was seen last year
The last reported human case in the USA was detected last year in Maryland. The person returning from El Salvador was treated, and federal health officials found no evidence that the parasite had spread to others.
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