USDA confirms first New World screwworm detection in US wildlife, in a Texas elk
In short
The US Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday it confirmed the first detection of New World screwworm in US wildlife, in an elk in Pecos County, Texas. The elk was on a game ranch and was reported after a hunter harvested it. Texas and federal agencies are stepping up wildlife surveillance and hunters are being urged to watch for signs.
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The US Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday it had confirmed the first detection of New World screwworm in US wildlife. The parasite was found in an elk in Pecos County, Texas. The elk was on a game ranch and was reported after being harvested by a hunter, the USDA said in a statement. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
The Texas Animal Health Commission will modify a previously established infested zone, the USDA said. The USDA and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are conducting additional wildlife surveillance in the area. Alan Cain, Texas wildlife division director, said in a statement: "We encourage all hunters and landowners to be vigilant for signs of New World screwworm while they are out in the field this season." [ 2 , 4 ]
CBS News reported that officials said hunters should watch for signs of infection, including visible maggots in wounds, foul-smelling injuries and animals that appear weak or distressed. Other warning signs include open or enlarging wounds and infestations around an animal's nose, mouth, ears, eyes or genital areas. Officials urged anyone who notices suspicious signs to report them immediately. [ 4 ]
The Guardian reported that the pest was eradicated from the US decades ago but has surged north from Central America through Mexico. Washington imposed a ban on Mexican cattle imports that lasted more than a year. The US halted livestock imports from Mexico last year and resumed trade in August at an Arizona port as part of a phased reopening plan. The halt has tightened US cattle supplies and pushed beef prices to record highs for American consumers. [ 2 ]
Screwworm was detected in June on a calf in Texas's Zavala County, near the US-Mexico border. The Guardian said there have since been dozens of cases detected in the US this year, including on a horse and on a dog. CBS News described the June case as a 3-week-old calf. [ 2 , 4 ]
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as cited by CBS News, New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals, including livestock and, in rare cases, humans. Once hatched, the larvae feed on living tissue. CBS News said the USDA states the parasite does not affect food safety but can impact meat production, and that the first human case in the US was confirmed last year, though the patient recovered and officials found no evidence of further transmission. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
Earlier US cases named in the coverage were in a calf, a horse and a dog, so this is the first detection in wildlife. Officials are asking hunters and landowners to be vigilant, and the Guardian notes the halt on Mexican cattle imports has tightened US cattle supplies and pushed beef prices to record highs.
Key facts
- The USDA confirmed the first detection of New World screwworm in US wildlife, in an elk in Pecos County, Texas. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The elk was on a game ranch and was reported after being harvested by a hunter. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The Texas Animal Health Commission will modify a previously established infested zone. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The USDA and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are conducting additional wildlife surveillance in the area. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The USDA confirmed screwworm in a Texas calf in June; the Guardian says there have since been dozens of US cases this year, including a horse and a dog. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The US resumed livestock imports from Mexico in August at an Arizona port as part of a phased reopening plan. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The USDA said it confirmed the first detection of New World screwworm in US wildlife, in an elk in Pecos County, Texas. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The elk was on a game ranch and was reported after being harvested by a hunter. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The Texas Animal Health Commission will modify a previously established infested zone, and additional wildlife surveillance is under way in the area. [ 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- How many other wildlife animals, if any, are affected. The documents report one elk and say additional surveillance is under way, but give no further wildlife findings.
- The number of US screwworm cases this year. The Guardian says only that there have been dozens of cases; no document gives a figure.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Reuters published that the USDA confirmed the first detection of New World screwworm in US wildlife. [ 1 ]
- The Guardian US reported the elk detection in Pecos County, Texas, and the call for hunters and ranchers to be vigilant. [ 2 ]
- Reuters published a Portuguese-language report of the confirmation. [ 3 ]
- CBS News reported the USDA announcement and the warning signs for hunters. [ 4 ]