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USDA confirms New World screwworm in Texas

New World screwworm has been confirmed in the United States.

During a call with reporters Wednesday evening, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said the lone case was found in the umbilical area of a three-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas.  “We have established a 20-kilometer infested zone around the detection and implementing quarantines, movement controls, and surveillance in this area,” she says. 

She says an expedited, targeted release of sterile flies is underway, which remains the most effective way to control the pest.  “We are increasing trapping and surveillance for new world screwworm flies along the border just outside of the dispersal area,” she says. “We are implementing new world screwworm surveillance for the new world screwworm flies along the border and just outside of the dispersal area.”

Dr. Lewis “Bud” Dinges, Texas State Veterinarian and executive director of the Animal Health Commission says producers need to monitor their animals.  “Quick notification leads to quick detection and quick response,” he says.  “To stop the pest from spreading, animals still need to be able to move. We’ll just make sure that they are moving safely and not moving the screw worm with it. Number two, this is not a food safety issue. This is a food production issue. New world screw worms do not infest meat, fruits, vegetable or other food sources. And number three, infestations from this pest could be prevented. Animal owners need to look at their animals as often as possible and stay vigilant monitoring for wounds that can be covered and treated.”

Colin Woodall, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says work continues to protect the interests of American cattle producers and the association says it appreciates the USDA and other agencies for working rapidly to bolster critical resources that protect producers, including building a domestic sterile fly facility, increasing fly surveillance, and expediting the availability of necessary drugs and treatments for cattle.

R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard says the confirmation marks a serious moment for American livestock producers and it requires an immediate, coordinated response to protect animal health, the national cattle herd, America’s livestock producers, and the nation’s food supply.  Bullard says the industry will go from prevention to eradication.

The USDA and Texas officials are taking immediate action to eradicate NWS from the US.

USDA is urging residents to check pets and livestock for signs of an infestation, areas to inspect are body openings like the nose, ears, and genitalia, or the navel of newborn animals. 

New World screwworm is not a food safety issue, and the food supply is safe.