The screwworm parasite has been detected in Texas and New Mexico, prompting a billion-dollar response from the US Department of Agriculture. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited a Texas ranch where one of the first cases was detected and emphasized the need for vigilance among ranchers to contain the outbreak.

Background

Screwworms are flies that lay their eggs in the wounds of warm-blooded animals and feed on living flesh. The parasite was eradicated from the US 60 years ago but has since returned, with over 28,000 cases reported in Mexico. The US has closed its southern ports to Mexican livestock, and Mexico has stopped importing live animals from the US.

Rollins attributed the return of the parasite to the previous administration, while Democratic leaders pointed to cuts in the nation’s agriculture agency under President Donald Trump. Scientists are unsure how the screwworms emerged again but agree that climate change is helping to drive their spread.

Response Efforts

The USDA is preparing to release sterile flies to mate with female screwworms, a strategy that has been effective in controlling the population. The goal is to protect the US cattle industry, with experts warning that the parasite could cause significant economic damage if left unchecked.

The USDA estimates that it will spend over $1 billion on efforts to save cattle herds and other livestock. About $750 million will go toward building and operating a plant capable of producing up to 300 million sterile flies a week.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.