Journalism of Courage
Mexico confirms case of New World screwworm in northern state, USDA says
The flesh-eating screwworm parasite has moved northward through Central America and southern Mexico, putting the US cattle industry on high alert.
September 22, 2025 07:42 PM IST
First published on: Sep 22, 2025 at 07:41 PM IST
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Screwworms are parasitic flies whose females lay eggs in wounds on any warm-blooded animal. (Representative image/ Wikimedia Commons) Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality on Sunday confirmed a new case of New World screwworm in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, less than 70 miles (113 km) from the US-Mexico border, the US Department of Agriculture said.
“USDA is analyzing all new information related to the recent case in Nuevo Leon and will pursue all options to release sterile flies in this region as necessary,” USDA said.
A spokesperson for Mexico’s agriculture ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The flesh-eating screwworm parasite has moved northward through Central America and southern Mexico, putting the US cattle industry on high alert.
The outbreak has prompted the US government to keep its border mostly closed to Mexican cattle imports since May.
A human case of screwworm in the US reported in August posed no risk to the farm sector, a US Department of Agriculture official said at the time.
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