New World screwworm detected in Texas calf, first U.S. livestock case in decades
By
Elmira Aliieva
Toasted to a respectable shade. No regrets, no crumbs left.
Summary
A case of New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasitic fly larvae, has been detected in a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border. This marks the first detection of the parasite in U.S. livestock in decades, posing a significant threat to the cattle industry and food supply amid already high beef prices. While the parasite can infect humans and pets, experts say such cases are rare and pose minimal risk to the general public. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed the case late Wednesday.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe case of New World screwworm was confirmed in a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, near the U.S.-Mexico border, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said late Wednesday.
The parasitic fly's larvae feed exclusively on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals.
While the fly is capable of infecting humans and pets, such cases are rare and pose little risk to the broader public, according to experts.
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