Second Texas Screwworm Case Confirmed as Canada Halts Livestock Imports
CNBC reported Saturday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed a second New World screwworm detection in Texas, deepening concerns about a flesh-eating parasite that threatens livestock, wildlife, and in rare cases, people. The confirmation has already drawn a cross-border response from Canada.
Second Detection Found in Zavala County
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service identified the new case in a one-month-old calf in Zavala County. The site sits roughly 5.6 miles from the location of the first confirmed detection, announced earlier this month. Additional samples gathered from surrounding properties have so far returned negative results.
New World screwworm larvae burrow into the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. Left untreated, the wounds they create can prove fatal. The parasite poses risks to cattle, horses, domestic pets, and wildlife alike.
Importantly, the USDA stressed that the second case falls within a movement-control zone already established after the initial finding. Sterile insects are actively being released across the zone in an effort to suppress the population and prevent further spread.
Canada Moves Quickly to Restrict Imports
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced Friday that it will temporarily bar livestock imports, including horses, originating from affected U.S. areas. Any animal that was present in Texas within 21 days before attempting to cross the border will be denied entry. The measure reflects Ottawa’s precautionary approach to containing potential spread northward.
Background on New World Screwworm
New World screwworm was eradicated from the United States decades ago through a sustained sterile-insect release program run jointly with Mexico. The parasite remained largely absent from U.S. soil for years afterward. Recent detections have alarmed agricultural officials given the scale of cattle operations in Texas and the economic stakes involved for the broader livestock industry.
USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins said in a statement that the agency had not wasted any time responding and expressed confidence that officials could defeat the parasite again, pointing to the earlier eradication effort as proof.
Food Supply Remains Safe, Officials Say
Federal authorities moved to reassure consumers on Saturday. The USDA stated that New World screwworm does not affect meat, produce, or other food products. Any animal showing signs of infestation would be flagged during standard inspection processes, the agency said, and no contaminated product would be permitted to enter the commercial food chain.
The outbreak remains a developing situation, with federal and Texas state officials continuing to monitor the established control zone.
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