The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has confirmed the presence of New World screwworm in Zavala County, located south of Uvalde and east of Eagle Pass. This marks the only current detection of the parasite in Texas, according to state officials.

New World screwworms are maggots that feed on living tissue through open wounds, using sharp mouth hooks to burrow into flesh. While they primarily infest cattle, there have been rare cases of human infestation. The latest detection involved a three-week-old calf.

Food Supply Safety

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reassured the public that the country’s food supply remains safe. The USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service continues to ensure that meat, poultry, and egg products are unaffected by the screwworm.

Importantly, the screwworm does not infest foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and rice, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Preventative Measures

Officials have been preparing for a potential resurgence of the New World screwworm for over two years. Preventative strategies include the targeted release of sterile screwworm flies, which are intended to eliminate reproducing populations of the parasite.

This proactive approach aims to protect the local livestock industry, which is vital to the economy of Zavala County and the surrounding regions.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.