The New World screwworm fly has been confirmed in cows, goats, and dogs, raising concerns among U.S. authorities. This fly lays its eggs in open wounds or the orifices of warm-blooded animals. The larvae then burrow into and consume the tissue.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced three new cases on Monday, marking the first known cases in dogs and goats. This brings the total number of cases to five. Officials are ramping up efforts to combat this parasitic fly, which was thought to be eradicated in the U.S. since the 1960s.
During a news briefing, federal and Texas state officials outlined various measures being taken, including the use of AI-driven technology to monitor screwworm populations. They are also training ranchers to identify infections in livestock and expanding facilities that produce and release sterile flies, a primary strategy to manage screwworm populations.
There is consideration for the emergency authorization of a new genetically engineered strain of flies. This could increase the efficiency of sterile fly production. Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed confidence in the ability to eradicate the pest again.
The new cases were detected in a calf in La Salle County, Texas, a goat in Gillespie County, Texas, and a dog in Lea County, New Mexico. The travel history of the dog is unclear, although there were suggestions it may have traveled from Mexico.
The first two cases were reported last week in calves from Zavala County, Texas. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated that the reappearance of the screwworm was anticipated.
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