Texas Fights a Creeping Parasite Threat

Two more animals in Texas have tested positive for New World screwworm, a fly larva that feeds on living flesh. A week after the first case in decades showed up near the Mexican border, officials confirmed a calf in La Salle County and a dog in Andrews County now carry the parasite. Unlike common flies, these larvae don’t just annoy animals; they dig into wounds or even healthy skin, turning minor cuts into serious infections. Veterinarians say the damage can quickly become expensive to treat because the maggots keep coming back as long as they aren’t fully removed. Wildlife experts worry the outbreak could spread beyond pets and cattle. While most human cases are rare, the bugs can still target people with open sores or weak immune systems. The USDA’s rapid response teams are now tracing how the screwworm arrived and who might have come into contact with infected animals. They’re spraying insecticides and releasing sterile male flies, a method used successfully in earlier outbreaks, to break the breeding cycle.Texas ranchers already face drought and rising feed costs. Adding screwworm to the list threatens more financial strain. The state has set up quarantine zones and hotlines for worried owners. Social media posts show panicked pet owners covering their dogs in protective wraps, while farmers debate whether to delay moving herds until the situation clears. Scientists point out that screwworm flies once plagued the entire southern United States before an aggressive campaign nearly wiped them out thirty years ago. Reappearances usually start near the Rio Grande, where animals cross freely between countries. Critics argue that budget cuts to surveillance programs may have allowed this new wave to slip through undetected.