The Screwworm Battle Begins on U.S. Soil: Now What?

ZISK
2 days ago
1 min read

After confirming an infestation in a 3-week-old beef calf, USDA and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) warn animal movement — not fly travel — spreads the pest, and outline inspection, treatment and quarantine steps for cattle producers.

The first Texas case of New World screwworm (NWS) since 1966 has been confirmed on a cow–calf operation in Zavala County near La Pryor, triggering an aggressive joint response from USDA and TAHC.

Officials stress two key messages: This is not a food safety crisis, and the pest spreads with animals, not by flies traveling long distances on their own. Those points are driving both the regulatory response and what they’re asking producers to do on the ground.

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