Screwworm fly detected in Texas for first time in decades |
Screwworm fly detected in Texas for first time in decades
A flesh-eating parasite has been detected in Texas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Inspection Service confirmed Wednesday.
A New World screwworm (NWS) was found in a young calf in Zavala County, which is southwest of San Antonio, Texas. This is the only confirmed case at this time, and it is the first in the state since 1966.
The parasite can have devastating effects on livestock populations. Additionally, it can affect pets and wildlife, and less often, people and birds. NWS maggots typically enter warm-blooded animals through open wounds and feed on flesh, according to the USDA.
The USDA said on Wednesday that it has partnered with local health agencies in Texas to take “immediate action” to contain the spread of NWS.
Additionally, the department said that the “U.S. food supply is safe” and noted that the NWS larvae do not infest meat or other food sources. The agency cited the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service role in monitoring the safety of meat, poultry and egg products.
Dudley Hoskins, the USDA’s under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, said that NWS was projected to enter the U.S. by 2025 after spreading in........