The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the first case of New World screwworm infection in the country, linked to a traveler returning from El Salvador. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the case on August 4, and officials stated the risk to public health is low. Recently, reports emerged that Maryland residents contracted these parasites after visiting Guatemala, although it’s unclear if it’s related.
New World screwworms, which can devastate livestock and harm pets, were previously eradicated in the U.S. after serious outbreaks in the 1980s and 1990s. To combat the current threat, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook L. Rollins announced a five-part plan involving the release of billions of sterilized male flies to reduce the population, a method that was effective in the 1960s.
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas emphasized the economic threat posed by these parasites to the state’s substantial agricultural industry. The outbreak has previously cost Texas approximately $1.8 billion due to livestock losses. While screwworm infections in humans can be serious, they are rare and generally treatable. The USDA indicated that screwworms are moving north from Central America, with an incident reported in Mexico, prompting calls for immediate action on cross-border cattle trade regulations.
Source link
