The presence of the New World screwworm parasite has been confirmed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in New Mexico, marking the fifth known case in the United States. A dog in Lea County was found to be hosting the parasite, near the border with Texas, where four previous cases have been reported recently. This particular parasite is notorious for its ability to lay eggs in wounds on animals, including humans, with the larvae swiftly hatching and feeding on living tissue.
If left untreated, these infestations can lead to deep, painful wounds, severe infections, and potentially fatal outcomes. The USDA stated that the situation is still developing, and ongoing investigations are expected to reveal more details. Collaborative efforts are underway with authorities in New Mexico, Texas, and the surrounding region to promptly identify, contain, and respond to any potential cases.
The initial case in the US was identified in a three-week-old calf in Texas, with another nearby calf testing positive just a day later. As a result, three counties in Texas – Kinney, Jim Hogg, and Uvalde – have declared local states of disaster due to the threat, while emergency declarations are pending in Webb, La Salle, and Val Verde counties. Local officials have urged President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency to allocate additional funding, personnel, and resources to combat the spread of the parasite in the country.
The recent outbreak mirrors previous cases in southern Mexico last year, where infestations were confirmed in Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. Scientists have cautioned that with rising temperatures, the New World screwworm could pose a growing threat, especially to Gulf Coast states like Texas, Florida, and Louisiana, which may face widespread infestations by 2055. Texas Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the importance of protecting ranchers, livestock producers, and the state’s economy from this pest, urging vigilance, daily checks on animals for wounds, and immediate reporting of any suspected cases to authorities.