New World Screwworm Detected in Mexico's Nuevo León State; U.S. and Mexican Officials Collaborate on Monitoring

S. border. The screwworm, which infests wounds in livestock and occasionally humans, has been detected in Nuevo León, prompting monitoring along the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller described the detection as a potential risk to nearby livestock, while U.S. and Mexican authorities collaborate on containment.

He emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, 'The New World screwworm is not some distant problem. ' Miller noted that the situation is critical for ranchers, the livestock industry, and the food supply, and that efforts to contain the spread of the flies have not been successful to date.

The New World screwworm typically deposits eggs around the noses, eyes, ears, and mouth of humans and livestock.

Female flies are attracted to the smell of open wounds, even those as small as a tick bite, and can lay 200-300 eggs at a time. Over her lifespan of 10-30 days, a female can lay up to 3,000 eggs. The larvae feed on flesh for about seven days before dropping into the ground to pupate.

U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun taking steps to respond to the New World screwworm, including investing in technology to bolster the production of sterile flies. -Mexico border are actively working to trap the flies and contain their spread.

' He added that early detection is crucial to prevent a full-blown crisis that could devastate herds and livelihoods. The New World screwworm is usually found in South America and parts of the Caribbean, but since 2023, it has spread through every country in Central America and into Mexico. U.S.

are rare, typically occurring among travelers returning from affected regions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises anyone who sees or feels maggots around a wound to contact their healthcare provider, as removal may require medical intervention.