New Threat: New World Screwworm Risks Livestock and Human Health

The New World Screwworm has re-emerged as a significant threat to U.S. livestock after recent outbreaks in Mexico. The USDA has suspended imports of cattle, horses, and bison in response. This dangerous pest, capable of causing severe damage to animals and humans, could lead to substantial financial losses if not managed effectively. Health officials urge caution for those traveling to affected regions.

The New World Screwworm (NWS), once believed to be eradicated from the U.S. since 1966, has raised alarm bells following an outbreak in Mexico. This situation has prompted immediate action, particularly the suspension of cattle, horse, and bison imports at the southern border, as announced by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins on social media. She stated that this decision aims to protect U.S. livestock from the potential dangers posed by the screwworms.

In her announcement, Rollins emphasized the devastating impact these pests can have on the cattle industry, recalling that the last significant invasion took three decades for recovery. The agency is on high alert, given that this pest could once again wreak havoc if it manages to cross the border.

The New World Screwworm is a fly species primarily found in certain regions of the Caribbean and South America, according to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The adult flies are typically located in wooded areas but tend to seek out livestock in open pastures to lay their eggs. The process is alarming: a female flies lays her eggs in the wounds or orifices of warm-blooded animals, where they hatch into larvae that invade and damage the flesh.

The name “screwworm” derives from the maggots’ unique behavior of burrowing into tissue, reminiscent of how screws go into wood. The larvae can inflict serious harm, enlarging wounds and attracting more flies. In rare instances, these maggots can infest humans, leading to painful infections known as myiasis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Such conditions can be severe and may even result in death.

Reaching out to travelers, the CDC informed that individuals who visit areas where NWS is common, those engaging closely with livestock, or who have open wounds are particularly vulnerable to these infestations. The risk is amplified for people who are immunocompromised, elderly, young children, or those recovering from surgery, as screwworms may lay eggs on exposed skin.

The USDA has reiterated that another outbreak in the U.S. could threaten pets, livestock, and humans alike. They warned that the financial impact could be substantial; in the past, losses due to NWS were estimated to be between $50 million and $100 million annually during the 1950s and 1960s. The challenges arising in the Southwest U.S. were thought to be due to high livestock populations and favorable conditions for the screwworm to survive.

Despite its previous eradication in 1966, a small outbreak occurred in the Florida Keys in 2016, primarily affecting endangered deer but was completely contained by early 2017, according to APHIS. The agriculture sector remains vigilant, ensuring that such a deterrent to livestock health does not happen again.

In summary, with the re-emergence of the New World Screwworm, the USDA is taking preventative steps to avoid the catastrophic impacts this pest can cause. The ongoing situation underscores the importance of monitoring livestock health and ensuring that strict import regulations are enforced to keep U.S. agriculture secure.

The re-emergence of the New World Screwworm has raised significant concerns for U.S. livestock and public health. Following its recent outbreak in Mexico, the USDA’s prompt action to halt imports of certain animals aims to prevent a repeat of past destruction. The potential risks to human health are alarming, particularly for vulnerable populations. Continued vigilance is crucial to protect both livestock and public well-being from this predator.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com