New World Screwworm Detected in Texas Calf
Quick Look
- A New World screwworm infestation was found in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas.
- USDA and Texas officials are establishing a 20 km infested zone and implementing quarantines to contain and eradicate the pest, which can cause significant economic losses to the agricultural sector.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A New World screwworm has been detected in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. This pest burrows into the flesh of living animals and can cause economic losses in the agricultural sector. Cases have been increasing in Central America and Mexico.
A New World screwworm has been detected in a bovine located in Zavala County, Texas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said.
A three-week-old calf was affected, with larvae were identified in its umbilical area, according to a press statement on Wednesday, adding that there are no further detections to date.
"USDA invested heavily in the tools needed to eliminate NWS ever since cases started increasing in Central America and Mexico. The United States has defeated this pest before, and we will do it again," USDA said.
USDA and Texas officials are working to contain and eradicate NWS from the country, including the establishment of a 20 km infested zone around the detection and enforcing quarantines, movement controls and surveillance in the area.
New World screwworm, which burrows into the flesh of living animals, is a pest that can affect livestock and cause economic losses in the agricultural sector.
Open Questions
- How did the screwworm enter the calf?
- What is the full extent of the infestation beyond the single calf?
- What specific measures are being taken for surveillance and movement controls?
- What are the projected economic losses if the pest spreads?
