By Zoila Palma: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed the detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in a cow in Texas, marking the first confirmed case in the mainland United States amid concerns about the parasite’s northward spread from Central America and Mexico.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said the screwworm was found in a three-week-old bovine in Zavala County, Texas, where larvae were identified in the animal’s umbilical area.
According to the USDA, there have been no additional detections of the parasite in the United States.
Federal and Texas animal health officials have launched immediate containment and eradication efforts, including the formation of a unified Incident Command Team with the Texas Animal Health Commission, ABC reports.
Personnel have been deployed to the affected area to support response measures.
New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of animals, particularly livestock. The infestation can cause severe injuries and may be fatal if left untreated.
While human infections are rare and public health officials consider the risk to people to be very low, the parasite poses a significant threat to the livestock industry. The USDA noted that screwworm was largely eradicated in the United States in 1966 through the use of sterile male flies released into the environment to suppress populations.
In response to the Texas detection, the USDA announced a 12.5-mile infested zone around the site, along with quarantines, movement controls, and increased surveillance.
The department will also accelerate the release of sterile screwworm flies from the ground, in addition to the 4 million sterile flies currently being released by air each week in the area.
The post International News: USDA confirms 1st New World Screwworm detection in Texas appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed the detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in a cow in Texas, marking the first confirmed case in the mainland United States amid concerns about the parasite’s northward spread from Central America and Mexico. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said the screwworm was found
The post International News: USDA confirms 1st New World Screwworm detection in Texas appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
