Texas Livestock Under Threat from Invasive Screw Worms
A highly contagious parasitic infestation affecting livestock is raising concerns in the United States, particularly in texas. The outbreak, caused by the New World screwworm fly, has prompted increased monitoring and potential economic repercussions.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported no confirmed cases of animal injury related to the screwworm this year. However, the potential economic impact of an outbreak, especially in Texas - the state with the largest livestock population in the US – is estimated at $1.8 billion. This figure encompasses losses in livestock, employment costs, and veterinary expenses.
Officials in Maryland’s Ministry of Health have yet to comment on the situation.
What are Screwworms?
- Screwworms are the larvae of the screwworm fly, a parasitic insect that deposits it’s eggs in the open wounds of warm-blooded animals.
- Upon hatching, hundreds of larvae burrow into the living flesh of the host animal, feeding and causing significant tissue damage. If left untreated, this can lead to the animal’s death. The larvae’s method of burrowing resembles the action of screwing into wood.
- While primarily affecting livestock and wildlife, screwworm infections can, though rarely, occur in humans and can be fatal in both animals and people.
- Treatment involves the painstaking removal of all larvae from the wounds, followed by thorough disinfection. Early intervention significantly increases the chances of survival.
The screwworm was eradicated from the United States in 1987 through a decades-long cooperative program between the US and Mexico involving the sterile insect technique (SIT). This technique releases sterilized male flies into the wild, wich mate with wild females, resulting in infertile eggs and a decline in the screwworm population. Recent detections in the US, however, signal a resurgence of the parasite, potentially linked to cases in Mexico.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is actively working to contain the current outbreak and prevent further spread. This includes surveillance, quarantine measures, and the continued request of the sterile insect technique.
