JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced earlier this week that the New World Screwworm was confirmed in a calf in Texas, just 15 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
The insect is considered a serious threat to cattle. Arkansas ranchers are being asked to keep an eye out for the parasite on their livestock.
“The way that it affects the animals is if they’re any vulnerable skin, so nose, eyes, or a wound on the animal, then the larva gets into that sensitive spot and then kind of burrows in and affects the flesh of the animal,” said Addie Stamps, director of commodity activities and economics at Arkansas Farm Bureau…