USDA Investigates Possible New World Screwworm Case in South Texas
USDA says the calf was found with larvae in its umbilical area, and officials have set a quarantine zone and begun sterile-fly releases.
- On Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed the first New World screwworm case in Texas since 1966, identified in a 3-week-old calf in LaPryor approximately 50 miles from the Mexican border, threatening the state's $15 billion cattle industry.
- The parasite's larvae feed on living tissue, posing a significant threat to livestock. USDA officials monitored the pest's rapid movement across Mexico for over a year, attempting to prevent its entry into the United States.
- Texas State Veterinarian Bud Dinges established a 12-mile quarantine zone prohibiting warm-blooded animals from moving without inspection. The USDA began releasing sterile flies and started construction on a $750 million breeding facility in the region.
- Criticizing the federal response as too slow, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged President Donald Trump to deploy every available resource before the outbreak becomes a full-blown agricultural disaster.
- Officials tested over 58,000 fly samples and 19,000 wild animals to monitor spread. Rollins stated, "There is no threat of mass infestation," while the USDA deploys 8,000 fly traps along the U.S.-Mexico border.
254 Articles
254 Articles
State leaders urge vigilance for screwworm
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico remains screwworm-free, but state animal, wildlife, and health leaders are urging vigilance for travelers to South Texas. “While New World screwworm has not been detected in New Mexico, USDA’s confirmation of the pest in South Texas serves as an important reminder for everyone to remain vigilant,” said New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte. “We encourage anyone who has recently traveled or plans to travel …
'We do have to deal with it': Nebraska farmers respond to reports of new world screwworm
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) —Right now, a new potential threat has reemerged for the cattle industry. The USDA reported the new world screwworm, a parasitic fly, was detected on US soil for the first time in 60 years. It typically feeds on livestock. It was found in South Texas on Wednesday. But now, this raises concerns for cattle ranchers and farmers,...
STOCK MARKET: Confirmed screwworm case in Texas sends two biotech stocks higher
A flesh-eating parasite known as New World screwworm has been found in livestock in Texas, and traders are buzzing over potential winners in the stock market. Shares of Zoetis and Elanco Animal Health popped in Thursday’s trading, and typically dormant options markets on the stocks woke up with a heavy bullish bias. Zoetis was last higher by nearly 4%, and Elanco was up 2% in midday trading. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Zoetis shares in the …
Flesh-Eating Parasite Discovered in US Cattle Decades After Being Eradicated from the Country
A major threat to livestock, pets, and wildlife has appeared in Texas for the first time in 60 years. In a Wednesday news release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed […] The post Flesh-Eating Parasite Discovered in US Cattle Decades After Being Eradicated from the Country appeared first on The Western Journal.
New World screwworm poses no threat to food safety, Mississippi Ag commissioner says
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - Following confirmation by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the detection of the New World screwworm (NWS), in a bovine calf in Texas, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson (R-Miss.) said the detection poses no threat to food safety. “I want to ensure [...]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
