In a development that has raised concerns among Texas cattle ranchers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a suspected case of the New World screwworm fly in south Texas. This marks a potential threat to the nation’s cattle industry, which has not faced such a challenge in decades.

Containment Efforts Underway

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins reassured the public that the situation is under control, stating, “Our food supply is 100% safe.” Rollins, along with Texas officials and Governor Greg Abbott, has been actively engaging with local cattle ranchers to address the issue. The USDA is currently testing a sample from the suspected infestation at its national veterinary lab in Iowa.

The New World screwworm fly, known for its flesh-eating larvae, poses a significant threat to livestock, wild mammals, household pets, and even humans if left untreated. The fly lays eggs in open wounds or mucous membranes, and the larvae can cause severe damage.

Historical Context and Current Measures

The screwworm fly was eradicated in the U.S. in the 1970s through a program that involved breeding and releasing sterile male flies. However, recent movements of the fly across Mexico have raised alarms. The USDA has dedicated $21 million to convert a fruit-fly breeding facility in southern Mexico for screwworm flies and has opened a new center in southern Texas for dispersing sterile flies.

Rollins highlighted the USDA’s proactive measures, including the closure of the U.S.-Mexico border to livestock imports from Mexico last year, to prevent the spread of the fly. Pets and wild animals, however, are still allowed to cross the border.

With cases confirmed in Mexico as close as 25 miles from the U.S. border, the USDA’s efforts to combat the screwworm fly are crucial to protecting the cattle industry and the broader ecosystem in Texas.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.