New World Screwworm Detected Near US Border, Threatening Livestock Industry

The New World Screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae burrow into the tissue of warm-blooded animals causing painful wounds and potentially severe damage, has recently been detected near the U.S.–Mexico border, raising significant biosecurity concerns. A new case was confirmed in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, less than 70 miles from Texas, posing a direct threat to the American cattle industry and prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Trump Administration to emphasize national security measures and a multi-pronged action plan including border protections and import bans on livestock from Mexico. Mexico has activated emergency controls and increased monitoring efforts, with authorities reporting that the detected larvae were at an early stage, reducing immediate risk of spread, although economic impacts from U.S. import restrictions may be substantial. Additionally, a case of screwworm was reported in a pet dog in Mérida, Mexico, highlighting the parasite's ability to infect domestic animals and the importance of veterinary awareness and wound care protocols. Preventative strategies such as releasing sterile flies to control screwworm populations are underway in Texas, reflecting heightened cross-border collaboration and vigilance to curb this re-emerging threat to livestock and animal health.