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News in English (USA) / 04.06.2026 / 04:00

New World Screwworm Detected in South Texas, Raising Concerns for Agriculture

The USDA has confirmed the presence of the New World screwworm in a calf in South Texas, marking the first detection of this flesh-eating parasite in the United States. The discovery comes as the screwworm was found just 25 miles from the U.S. border with Mexico, signaling a significant threat to local cattle herds and food production. Officials are urging ranchers to brace for a potential outbreak and are testing samples from affected animals to prevent further spread of the parasite. As concerns grow, USDA officials emphasize their readiness to respond and combat misinformation circulating about the situation.
The Texas Tribune, CNN, KFOX, Reuters, CBS News, KXAN Austin, CNBC, Bloomberg.com, USA Today, Houston Chronicle