New World screwworm detected in Texas cattle after monitoring program funding cuts
By
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs
Summary
New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae burrow into the tissue of warm-blooded animals, has been detected in La Pryor, Texas. This is the only confirmed case in the U.S. so far, but a wider outbreak could further reduce already-low cattle numbers and drive up beef prices, which have risen roughly 75% since December 2020. The government cut funding for the screwworm monitoring program and reportedly ignored ranchers' warnings that the parasite was approaching the U.S. border.
Source
bskyNew World screwworm detected in Texas cattle after monitoring program funding cutsshare.googleKey quotes
· 3 pulledThe case is the only one that has been identified in the country so far, according to the USDA, but a wider outbreak could severely impact already-suffering cattle numbers and put even more of a strain on ranchers as they spend money on treatment and prevention.
The U.S. cattle herd is already at its lowest level in 75 years.
The government cut funding for the New World screwworm monitoring program and then reportedly ignored ranchers warning the parasite was working its way to the U.S.
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