1st case of New World screwworm in US confirmed in TX elk

More from the article ...

... The detection prompted additional wildlife surveillance in the area by the USDA and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Texas Animal Health Commission will also modify a previously established infested zone.

Officials said hunters should watch for signs of infection, including visible maggots in wounds, foul-smelling injuries and animals that appear weak or distressed.

Other warning signs include open or enlarging wounds and infestations around an animal's nose, mouth, ears, eyes or ------- areas.

Officials urged anyone who notices suspicious signs of infestation to report them immediately.

The USDA in June confirmed the presence of a flesh-eating New World screwworm in a 3-week-old Texas calf.

New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals, including livestock and, in rare cases, humans. Once hatched, the larvae feed on living tissue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the USDA says New World screwworm doesn't affect food safety, it can impact meat production. ...

So the screwworm is now out in the wild in the US?

How long before our beef farmers are affected?

New World screwworm detected in calf in New Mexico
www.newsnationnow.com

... A new case of New World screwworm has been confirmed in the border county of Hidalgo, New Mexico.

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture said the screwworm was found in a calf and is the fifth active case in the state.

On Wednesday, officials confirmed a case of screwworm in a beef cow in Otero County, as well as two cases -- a horse and a cow -- last week in Grant County. The fifth active case was detected in September, also in Grant County.

State and federal officials say they continue to expand surveillance and fly-trapping around affected locations.

"Every confirmed case helps us better understand where New World screwworm may be present and where additional surveillance is needed," said State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Holeck with the New Mexico Livestock Board. "Producers are an essential part of that effort. Checking animals regularly and reporting suspicious wounds quickly can make a meaningful difference in identifying infestations before they spread." ...