Twelve cases of the New World screwworm have been identified in the United States as efforts continue to manage this troubling parasite, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Most of the confirmed cases have been found in Texas livestock, starting with the first report from Zavala County on June 3. Notably, one incident involved a dog in Lee County, New Mexico.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed that at least 12 cases are linked to the New World screwworm, including that pet dog. Other cases have affected cattle and livestock in Texas. NewsNation reported on the current actions being taken to handle the situation.
While the majority of the New World screwworm cases are contained within Texas, officials in the northern states are taking precautions to avoid any potential spread of this flesh-eating parasite.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding implemented an isolation order. This restricts the movement of livestock and pets that are either infected, suspected of being infected, or from regions where the parasite is endemic.
Redding emphasized in a June 13 statement that, although Pennsylvania hasn’t confirmed any cases yet, this serious pest poses a significant risk to livestock, pets, wildlife, and the agricultural economy. He urged taking preemptive measures to enhance biosecurity and limit unnecessary animal movement from infected areas to protect local farms and communities.
In Florida, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson has also updated emergency regulations. These changes now include bans on bringing in rescue dogs and cats from states with confirmed infections of the New World screwworm.
Simpson noted that the situation is fluid, and Florida’s response will adapt as new information becomes available. He assured that decisions would be based on facts rather than fear and highlighted the state’s proactive stance in safeguarding livestock and pets.
At the federal level, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has reportedly visited Texas multiple times to engage with ranchers and work on controlling the screwworm population using sterile flies.
The New World screwworm was first detected about 40 kilometers from the U.S.-Mexico border. This flesh-eating parasite mainly targets livestock, laying its eggs in open wounds and body orifices. APHIS supports 90% of the Panama-U.S. Commission’s efforts to eradicate and prevent screwworm infections in livestock.
This program, costing around $15 million annually, uses radiation to modify the screwworms so they are unable to reproduce, as reported by other sources.
