Parasitic Screwworm Flies Detected 90 Miles from US Border, Officials Warn
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has declared the New World screwworm a direct and imminent threat after parasitic flies were detected in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, just 90 miles from the US border. These flesh-eating flies lay eggs in open wounds and bodily orifices of humans and livestock, leading to potentially fatal infestations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that while these parasites are endemic to South America and the Caribbean, they have spread north through Central America since 2023. Although eradicated from the US decades ago, occasional cases appear in returning travelers. Miller emphasized the high stakes for Texas ranchers and the food supply, urging immediate reporting of unusual signs in animals. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responding by increasing sterile fly production and enhancing surveillance along the border, though containment efforts have faced challenges. Early detection is critical to preventing a full-blown crisis that could devastate livestock herds. Health officials advise anyone suspecting infestation to seek medical attention immediately for surgical removal of larvae.
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Parasitic Screwworm Flies Detected 90 Miles from US Border, Officials Warn
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has declared the New World screwworm a direct and imminent threat after parasitic flies were detected in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, just 90 miles from the US border. These flesh-eating flies lay eggs in open wounds and bodily orifices of humans and livestock, leading to potentially fatal infestations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that while these parasites are endemic to South America and the Caribbean, they have spread north through Central America since 2023. Although eradicated from the US decades ago, occasional cases appear in returning travelers. Miller emphasized the high stakes for Texas ranchers and the food supply, urging immediate reporting of unusual signs in animals. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responding by increasing sterile fly production and enhancing surveillance along the border, though containment efforts have faced challenges. Early detection is critical to preventing a full-blown crisis that could devastate livestock herds. Health officials advise anyone suspecting infestation to seek medical attention immediately for surgical removal of larvae.
The Independent World