The US Department of Agriculture has confirmed the first case of New World screwworm in the United States since the 1960s. The infection was detected in South Texas and announced on Wednesday night.
The US Department of Agriculture announced the confirmation of a New World screwworm case in South Texas on Wednesday night. This marks the first known infection of the carnivorous fly larva in the country since eradication efforts succeeded in the 1960s. The flies have been advancing northward through Central America over the past several years. Officials described the detection as the first breach of the US-Mexico border by the pest. New World screwworms are known to feed on the flesh of living mammals. The USDA statement did not provide further details on the affected animal or response measures.
