The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed two new cases of the New World screwworm in Texas, raising concerns about the potential impact on the state’s cattle industry. The cases were found in a calf and a dog, located hundreds of miles apart in La Salle and Andrews counties, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to four.

Impact on Livestock

The screwworm, despite its name, is not a worm but a fly whose larvae feed on live flesh. This pest poses a significant threat to livestock, particularly cattle, as it lays eggs in open wounds. While primarily affecting animals, there have been rare instances of human infestation.

Before being eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s, screwworms were a major concern for cattle ranchers. The USDA and the cattle industry are now on high alert, working to prevent a resurgence of this pest, which was detected in Mexico in late 2024 after being contained at the southern end of Panama for decades.

Efforts to Combat the Pest

To combat the screwworm, the USDA employs a strategy of releasing sterile male flies. These flies mate with wild females, which only mate once in their lifetime, effectively preventing reproduction and reducing the population. The USDA plans to increase the production of sterile flies in facilities outside the U.S. while constructing a new fly factory in Texas.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins is scheduled to receive a briefing on the situation at the U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville, Texas. The agency remains committed to eradicating the screwworm and protecting the nation’s cattle industry from this potential threat.

Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.