Human transmission is rare but the first ever case of infestation was confirmed in August last year.
Dr Timothy Goldsmith, a veterinary medicine professor at the University of Minnesota, said homeless people are particularly vulnerable to infestation because they sleep outside, and have less access to medical care.
New World screwworm flies lay eggs in wounds.The maggots then infest the host before eventually killing them (Picture: Department of Agriculture)
The bug was eradicated in the US in the 1960s but an outbreak in Texas affected more than 1,400,000 cattle in 1976.
Today, that would cost the economy in Texas alone an estimated $1,800,000,000, according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates.
Screwworms can cover large distance burrowed inside their hosts.
Brooke Rollins, the US Secretary of Agriculture, said support has been sent to south Texas.
A New World screwworm outbreak could cost the Texas economy over $1billion, according to USDA estimates (Picture: AP)
In a post on X, she said: ‘This potential New World Screwworm detection is being fully contained and is not a harm to the American food supply or consumer safety.
‘The NWS specimen has arrived at the airport in Ames, IA, and is being transferred to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).’
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Just wrapped up a virtual meeting with ~50 of our outstanding Texas cattle ranchers and @TAHC. I also have been in contact with @GregAbbott_TX, @LtGovTX, and the @Burrows4TX team.
Our food supply is 100% safe. This potential New World Screworm detection is being fully contained… https://t.co/dRd6KjmB2J
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) June 3, 2026
David Anderson, a livestock economist at Texas A&M University, said: ‘This is a pest we don’t want back. This is a bad thing. I can’t imagine having to deal with that. It’s gross.’
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