A second case of flesh-eating screwworm has been confirmed in Texas, prompting a disaster declaration from Governor Greg Abbott as authorities work to contain the parasite's spread. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the infection days after the first case was detected in a calf in Zavala county, southwest of San Antonio.
Officials are releasing millions of sterile male screwworm flies near the affected area, a proven method to prevent reproduction by wild females. The infestations, caused by larvae that burrow into living flesh, are the first in the US since the 1960s. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) said it had been preparing for a resurgence for over two years.
Governor Abbott warned of an “extraordinarily challenging summer” for affected regions. The TAHC has established an infested zone and imposed animal movement restrictions. Canada has temporarily banned livestock imports from Texas, requiring a 21-day pre-export period outside the state.
The screwworm poses no threat to food supplies, as it does not infest meat or produce. However, a widespread outbreak could devastate Texas cattle ranching, already strained by a year-long ban on Mexican cattle imports due to the northward spread of the pest. The US beef industry has contracted to a 75-year low.
