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Authorities Confirm New World Screwworm Case in Zavala County, Texas
ZAVALA COUNTY, Texas – Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm in a young calf in Zavala County. The affected animal, a three-week-old calf, was found to have larvae in its umbilical area.
To date, no additional cases have been reported. In response, USDA and Texas state officials are taking swift measures to contain and eradicate this invasive pest. A 20-kilometer infested zone has been established around the site of detection, with quarantines, movement restrictions, and increased surveillance being enforced within this area.
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae burrow into the flesh of living animals, posing a serious threat to livestock health and potentially causing significant economic damage to the agricultural industry.
“USDA has heavily invested in tools and strategies to eliminate the New World screwworm, especially as cases have risen in Central America and Mexico,” the agency stated. “The United States has successfully eradicated this pest in the past, and we remain committed to doing so again.”
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further spread and protect the region’s livestock.