BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – A flesh-eating parasite not seen in the U.S. in decades has been confirmed twice in Texas. But, officials say they’ve been preparing for this scenario for well over a year.
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living flesh of warm-blooded animals, including livestock, pets, and in rare cases, people. Any open wound is a potential target.
“Those larvae are actually feeding on living tissue. That’s a pretty agonizing state to be in,” said Dr. Tony Frazier, Alabama state veterinarian.
Monitoring the threat
Officials have been watching the pest move north through Mexico since Nov. 2024. The USDA closed the border to all livestock imports from Mexico in June 2025…