A plan to reopen U.S.-Mexico crossings to livestock was scuttled after the discovery of a New World screwworm 370 miles south of the border.
The map above shows the ports of entry affected by the U.S. Agriculture Department’s July 9 announcement and the approximate locations of the most recent sightings.
What is the New World screwworm?
A parasite whose larvae hatch in wounds on mammals and feed on the host’s flesh and fluids. Infestations in livestock could cause large economic losses.
Is it found in the United States?
After a devastating 1972 outbreak in six states — California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas — the United States worked with Mexico to largely eradicate the screwworm. Its reappearance in southern Mexico was noted in November 2024, and since then the sightings have been moving north.
How is it combated?
The principal method is to breed sterile male flies and release them to mate, which produces non-viable eggs. There is one such “fly factory,” in Panama, and the Agriculture Department’s strategy calls for new facilities in Mexico and Texas.
Do they infect people?
Yes, though the Centers for Disease Control says human cases are rare. There is no tested medication; the treatment is removal of the worms from the wound.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related Posts:
- Where the New World screwworm has been seen, and why it’s a big deal News A plan to reopen U.S.-Mexico crossings to livestock was scuttled after the discovery of a New World screwworm 370 miles south of the border. Related Articles Protesters and federal agents clash during raid at California farm Trump admin. sues California over egg prices, farm animal welfare laws Here’s how deportations…
- US has reclosed its southern border after a flesh-eating parasite is seen further north in Mexico News By JOHN HANNA, Associated Press The U.S. has closed its southern border again to livestock imports, saying a flesh-eating parasite has moved further north in Mexico than previously reported. Mexico’s president was critical Thursday, suggesting that the U.S. is exaggerating the threat to its beef industry from the parasite, the…
- US has reclosed its southern border after a flesh-eating parasite is seen further north in Mexico News By JOHN HANNA, Associated Press The U.S. has closed its southern border again to livestock imports, saying a flesh-eating parasite has moved further north in Mexico than previously reported. Mexico’s president was critical Thursday, suggesting that the U.S. is exaggerating the threat to its beef industry from the parasite, the…
- US has reclosed its southern border after a flesh-eating parasite is seen further north in Mexico News By JOHN HANNA, Associated Press The U.S. has closed its southern border again to livestock imports, saying a flesh-eating parasite has moved further north in Mexico than previously reported. Mexico’s president was critical Thursday, suggesting that the U.S. is exaggerating the threat to its beef industry from the parasite, the…
- US has reclosed its southern border after a flesh-eating parasite is seen further north in Mexico News By JOHN HANNA, Associated Press The U.S. has closed its southern border again to livestock imports, saying a flesh-eating parasite has moved further north in Mexico than previously reported. Mexico’s president was critical Thursday, suggesting that the U.S. is exaggerating the threat to its beef industry from the parasite, the…
(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)