Flesh-eating screwworm is confirmed in the U.S., officials say
Cochliomyia hominivorax, the New World screwworm fly or simply screwworm, is a species of parasitic fly well known for the way its larvae (maggots) eat living tissue.
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The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said New World screwworm was detected in a cattle animal in Zavala County, Texas.
A three-week-old calf was affected and larvae were detected in the umbilical area. press release He added on Wednesday that no further detections have been made to date.
“USDA has invested heavily in the tools needed to eliminate NWS since cases began to rise 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 enforcement of quarantines, movement controls, and surveillance in the area.
The New World screwworm, which settles in the meat of livestock, is a pest that can affect livestock and cause economic losses in the agricultural sector.
—CNBC’s Ryan Ruggiero Contributor to this article
