A case of New World screwworm has been confirmed in a dog in Cochise County, Arizona, making it the third state impacted by the flesh-eating parasite since the outbreak began in June.
This brings the national total to over 70 cases—with 18 currently active, primarily in New Mexico. The surge comes as federal officials gradually reopen Mexican border ports to cattle imports, a move strongly criticized by industry groups like R-CALF USA, who argue mitigation safeguards aren’t fully operational yet.
To combat the spread, a 610-million-dollar sterile fly facility in Texas is scheduled to open in April 2027, while officials prepare to reopen cattle crossings in Nogales, Arizona, later this November…