Doubtlessly lethal, flesh-eating parasite confirmed in Texas, USDA warns

A probably lethal, flesh-eating parasite has formally crossed into Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed Wednesday that the New World screwworm was detected in Zavala County, posing a severe risk to native livestock and wildlife, and, in rarer instances, to people and birds.

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According to the USDA, the screwworm larvae have been found within the umbilical space of a three-week-old calf. Officials confirmed that there have been no different detections thus far. 

State and federal agriculture officers are taking quick motion to fight the risk.

The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly species that feeds on the tissue or flesh of warm-blooded animals and other people to finish components of its life cycle, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated. 

The infestation begins when grownup females are drawn to open wounds and physique openings, such because the eyes, nostril, mouth or genitals. 

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They lay their eggs — often 200 to 300 at a time — in these susceptible areas, which rapidly hatch into maggots that burrow into the wound or opening to feed on the flesh. After about seven days of feeding, the larvae then drop to the bottom, pupate and finally emerge into an grownup screwworm. 

This will not be solely dangerous to the contaminated but additionally results in financial loss.

Recently, in April, the NWS was confirmed in a younger calf within the Mexican state of Nuevo León, simply 60 miles from the Texas border.

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State officers instantly sounded the alarm. “It is a direct and imminent threat to Texas, and we are treating it that way. This is a high-stakes situation for our ranchers, our livestock industry and our food supply, and we are moving aggressively to stay ahead of it,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller stated. 

That stated, in 2023, Panama and Costa Rica recognized an outbreak of the New World screwworm. Since then, all nations in Central America and Mexico have reported instances amongst animals and other people. 

In 2025, a Maryland resident touring again to the U.S. from El Salvador contracted the parasite. The affected person absolutely recovered, and no additional unfold was reported from that case.

The incident marked the primary confirmed human case within the U.S. in years. 

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When contracting the parasite, human sufferers sometimes expertise signs corresponding to feeling or seeing maggots within the pores and skin, a foul-smelling odor from the location of an infection, and bleeding open sores, the CDC stated. 

The USDA is urging all residents within the space to watch pets and livestock for indications of NWS by on the lookout for draining or enlarged wounds and indicators of discomfort. 

Residents also needs to look out for screwworm larvae round open wounds and physique openings. If indicators are current, “Contact your state animal well being official or USDA area veterinarian in charge instantly,” the USDA stated. 

To include and eradicate the pest, officers are executing an aggressive response playbook that features implementing quarantines, forming a unified Incident Command Team with state animal well being authorities, expediting the discharge of sterile flies, and rising trapping alongside the border.

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Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins highlighted that the USDA has invested in one of the best instruments wanted to fight the NWS risk since instances began rising. “The United States has defeated this pest before, and we will do it again,” he stated.

To study extra concerning the New World screwworm and ongoing federal containment efforts, go to Screwworm.gov.