health
Second flesh-eating screwworm infection reported in cattle in Texas
Governor issues disaster declaration as agencies move to stop spread of parasite, including release of sterile flies
TL;DR
- A second case of the flesh-eating screwworm fly has been confirmed in Texas, following an initial case in a calf.
- Officials are releasing millions of sterile male screwworm flies to prevent reproduction.
- This is the first detection of the New World screwworm (NWS) in the US since the 1960s.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration.
- The parasite poses an economic threat to the US cattle industry, which has already faced contraction due to border closures.
- Canada has announced a temporary ban on livestock from Texas.
- The USDA assures the US food supply remains safe, as NWS do not infest food sources.