New World Screwworm Spreads Across Texas, Threatening $347.7 Billion Meat Industry
Updated
Updated · NPR · Jun 25
New World Screwworm Spreads Across Texas, Threatening $347.7 Billion Meat Industry
3 articles · Updated · NPR · Jun 25
Summary
Texas is seeing the New World screwworm spread beyond the 16 recent cases reported in goats and sheep, raising risks for cattle and wildlife.
Rancher cooperation is central to containing the parasite, but suspicion of government efforts is hampering the response on the ground.
The outbreak follows the screwworm's re-entry into the U.S. after decades of eradication, with officials also examining whether cuts to Central America monitoring weakened defenses.
USDA has said past eradication efforts saved $900 million a year, underscoring the wider threat to the U.S. livestock sector.