Where the New World screwworm has been seen, and why it’s a big deal
A plan to reopen U S -Mexico crossings to livestock was scuttled after the discovery of a New World screwworm miles south of the perimeter Related Articles Protesters and federal agents clash during raid at California farm Trump admin sues California over egg prices farm animal welfare laws Bird flu urgency response ends in US as infections decline Here s how deportations could affect California s business activity New head of Santa Clara County Fair is deeply rooted in local agriculture The map above shows the ports of entry affected by the U S Agriculture Department s July announcement and the approximate locations of the greater part fresh sightings What is the New World screwworm A parasite whose larvae hatch in wounds on mammals and feed on the host s flesh and fluids Infestations in livestock could cause large economic losses Is it uncovered in the United States After a devastating outbreak in six states California Arizona New Mexico Texas Oklahoma and Arkansas the United States worked with Mexico to largely eradicate the screwworm Its reappearance in southern Mexico was noted in November and since then the sightings have been moving north How is it combated The principal method is to breed sterile male flies and release them to mate which produces non-viable eggs There is one such fly factory in Panama and the Agriculture Department s strategy calls for new facilities in Mexico and Texas Do they infect people Yes though the Centers for Malady Control says human cases are rare There is no tested medication the healing is removal of the worms from the wound The Associated Press contributed to this summary
