US EditionWill the New World Screwworm parasite pose a threat to Massachusetts? Doctor explains.
The agency has monitored more than 7,000 border traps and is converting a Mexico facility to produce up to 100 million sterile flies.
- On Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers broke ground on a $750 million facility in Edinburg, Texas, designed to produce 100 million sterile flies weekly by November 2027.
- The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite plaguing Mexican livestock, is advancing toward the U.S. border. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller confirmed Monday that a confirmed case in a calf in Nuevo León is just about 60 miles from the United States.
- Since last July, the USDA has monitored over 7,000 fly traps and collected over 51,000 fly specimens, all negative for the parasite. Scientists rely on sterile fly technology, exploiting the fact that female screwworms mate only once in their lifetime.
- Miller stated Texas officials must go on the offensive against the advancing pest, emphasizing heightened surveillance and border coordination. "That means ramping up surveillance, tightening coordination at the border, and making absolutely certain every available resource is deployed to stop this dangerous pest," he said.
- USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins continues executing a five-pronged plan to keep the pest out of the United States. Officials recently released a response playbook to help producers develop biosecurity plans and maintain animal movement continuity.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Dreaded Screwworm Is Detected 60 Miles From Texas
A parasitic fly that can wipe out livestock has been detected uncomfortably close to the US–Mexico border, and Texas officials say the state is firmly "in the crosshairs." A calf in Nuevo León, Mexico, roughly 60 miles from South Texas, has tested positive for New World screwworm; it marks the...
Will the New World Screwworm parasite pose a threat to Massachusetts? Doctor explains.
The New World Screwworm, according to Dr. Todd Ellerin, is a fly larva that can get into wounds of cattle and sometimes humans, and eventually cause death. Ellerin said infections can be treated by having the maggots removed, sometimes by surgical incision.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner warns about New World screwworm moving closer to border
AUSTIN (KVIA) -- Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said Monday New World screwworm is moving closer to the state. Miller's warning comes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed a case in Nuevo León, Mexico, just 60 miles from the Texas border. NWS is a flesh-eating parasite that poses a risk to livestock. It previously caused a livestock crossing in Santa Teresa to shut down, impacting cattle imports. Commissioner Miller said …
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