The New World screwworm, eradicated from the US in 1966, has reemerged in South Texas in June 2026, spreading northward into New Mexico. This parasitic pest, which infests warm-blooded animals, raises concerns for livestock, wildlife, and pet owners, prompting multiagency response plans in states like Colorado.
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The New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that feeds on living tissue, has returned to the US after 60 years. Confirmed in a Texas calf, the USDA is combating the threat by releasing sterile male flies to prevent reproduction.
