First U.S. Cattle Screwworm Case in 60 Years Threatens Livestock Industry

(Central News Agency, La Pryor, Texas, 4th, Combined Foreign Reports) For the first time in six decades, a case of a cattle being infested with the flesh-eating "New World screwworm" (NWS) maggots has been confirmed on a U.S. ranch, prompting an investigation by government officials. No other cattle or animals have been found infected so far, but foreign media reports indicate this could impact the livestock industry.

According to Reuters, a calf at a ranch in South Texas was confirmed to be infested with New World screwworm (NWS) maggots, prompting an investigation by federal and Texas state officials. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated today that aside from the confirmed case, no other cattle or animals have been found infected in the surrounding area.

The screwworm maggot case at the ranch in La Pryor, Texas, is a major blow to the U.S. livestock industry. Screwworm maggots infest cattle and can lead to their death.

Last year, after Mexican cattle shipped to the U.S. tested positive for New World screwworm larvae, Secretary Rollins closed the live livestock trade route across the southern border. The industry had already begun to worry about a potential domestic outbreak at that time.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) broke ground in April on a facility to raise sterile flies (also known as sterile insect technique flies), which experts consider the best method to combat screwworms. However, the facility is not expected to be operational until the end of 2027.

Upon receiving the report, federal and Texas state authorities quickly imposed a stop-movement order for animals within a 20-kilometer radius of the affected site and took other measures to prevent the spread of the infestation. Currently, flashing orange lights are set up on every major road in La Pryor, signaling all vehicles transporting livestock to slow down and stop at checkpoints, where sheriffs and state personnel inspect the animals for screwworm infestation.

"As long as we work together and adhere to the relevant measures and movement control guidelines, there is no reason to believe this incursion will allow this parasite to establish itself in our country," Secretary Rollins said in a telephone press conference.

Earlier, Secretary Rollins told U.S. lawmakers that the Department of Agriculture is confident it can contain this first screwworm case in Texas since 1966, emphasizing that screwworms do not pose a food safety threat.

In the trading market, investors are concerned that the outbreak could further shrink the U.S. cattle herd, which is already at a 75-year low, and dampen beef demand.

In the 1960s, U.S. researchers successfully eradicated screwworms by releasing large numbers of sterile male flies to mate with wild females, resulting in unfertilized eggs that would not hatch.

U.S. officials said they are releasing sterile flies both on the ground and from the air in the affected area. "We are indeed responding with full force in this affected area," said USDA Under Secretary Dudley Hoskins. (Editor: Hong Qiyuan) 1150605