Screwworm fly reappears in Texas for first time in 60 years, raising health alerts

Texas authorities and the U.S. agricultural sector are on high alert following the detection of a screwworm fly case in Texas, marking the first instance in 60 years. The parasite, known scientifically as Cochliomyia hominivorax, poses a significant threat to livestock.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a warning, explaining that the screwworm fly lays eggs in open wounds on animals. The resulting larvae feed on living tissue, a process that can lead to severe damage and, if left untreated, death within one to two weeks. This makes the screwworm fly one of the most serious sanitary threats to the cattle industry.

The pest was eradicated from the United States in 1966 through a sterile insect release program. However, recent years have seen outbreaks in Central America and Mexico, particularly in Guatemala. The USDA confirmed that larvae were found in a calf in Zavala County, South Texas, near the Mexican border.

Texas, home to 12 million cattle, the largest inventory in the U.S., faces significant economic risks. Losses can stem from animal deaths, reduced production, and veterinary treatment costs. This re-emergence is particularly concerning as the state's cattle inventory is already at a 75-year low, and beef prices are at record highs. Authorities are implementing monitoring and containment measures and urging ranchers and veterinarians to report any suspected cases immediately, emphasizing that early detection is crucial to prevent the parasite's establishment in the U.S.

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