Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee
https://www.morningagclips.com/usda-confirms-presence-of-new-world-screwworm-in-the-united-states/
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock and economic losses. The affected animal is a 3-week-old calf and larvae were identified in its umbilical area. To date, there have been no further detections.
Note: The NWS has been moving progressively north through Central America and then Mexico after bridging the Darian Gap. There was an earlier outbreak of NWS in the deer in the Florida Keys, but this was the first detection near the Mexican border. The USDA is constructing new facilities to produce sterile males for massive SIT releases.