The US Department of Agriculture reported a case of New World screwworm in a Texas calf, marking the parasite’s return to the US. Ecologist Jeremy Radachowsky had long warned of the screwworm’s resurgence, which is driven by illegal cattle smuggling across the US-Mexico border.
Impact on the Beef Industry
The screwworm, which incubates in the wounds or orifices of warm-blooded animals, can cause significant damage to the beef industry. The USDA has announced efforts to breed and release sterilized flies to hamper the spread of the parasite.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has criticized the US response to the outbreak, demanding that the USDA use the Screwworm Adult Suppression System (SWASS) in addition to sterile fly releases. However, the USDA has pushed back on Miller’s claims, citing environmental concerns.
The screwworm’s return to the US is a result of organized crime groups smuggling livestock across the border without legitimate health screenings. The parasite had previously been eradicated in North and Central America through a decades-long program of fly sterilization led by the United States.
Consequences of the Outbreak
The outbreak has already had significant consequences, including the loss of cattle and the spread of other diseases such as avian flu and tuberculosis. The USDA has closed southern border ports to livestock from Mexico to prevent the transmission of the parasite.
Mexican farmers have also struggled with the screwworm, with one farmer in Chiapas reporting the loss of a cow to the parasite. The Mexican government has carried out stings and raids at the southern border to stanch the flow of illegal cattle.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
