The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported the identification of New World screwworm larvae in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas. This pest, known for burrowing into the flesh of living animals, can lead to significant economic losses in agriculture.
In response, the USDA has established a 20 km infested zone around the detection site and is implementing quarantines, movement controls, and surveillance to prevent further spread. The USDA emphasized its commitment to eradicating this pest, recalling past successes in combating it following outbreaks in Central America and Mexico.
The situation is being closely monitored, and no additional cases have been reported so far