Scientists have found a confirmed New World Screwworm case just a few dozen miles from the Texas border, prompting them to work quickly to stop the parasite.
According to The Weather Network, experts have detected the flesh-eating parasite known as the New World screwworm near the United States border and are describing it as an imminent threat.
The New World screwworm has the potential to completely destroy the cattle and livestock sector if it enters the United States. The screwworm flies deposit their eggs in the mouths, noses, ears, eyes, and wounds of animals.
How do scientists eradicate the New World screwworm?
“This fly used to be all over the southern United States from Florida to California, and we eradicated it in the 50s using the Sterile Insect Technology (SIT),” Texas A&M entomologist Aaron Tarone recently told KBTX News.
That eradication method used radioactive isotopes. Today, the solution is electron beam technology.
“The electron beam technology is basically energetic electrons that you find in commercial electricity that are accelerated to 99.98% the speed of light and so, these electrons pack a lot of punch,” said Director for the National Center for Electron Beam Research at Texas A&M, Suresh Pillai.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner issues a warning
Two weeks ago, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller sounded the alarm about the potential for the flesh-eating parasite to enter the United States. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issued a similar alarm in January of 2025.
“The threat of the New World screwworm is creeping dangerously close to our border. A confirmed case in Nuevo León, just about 60 miles from the United States, in a young calf is a flashing red warning sign we will not ignore,” he said in a statement.
“This is now the northernmost active case in Mexico, and that puts Texas squarely in the crosshairs. The fact that this detection falls within the current sterile fly dispersal zone tells you just how real and active this fight already is.”
What is the CDC saying about the New World screwworm?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says currently, the New World screwworm fly is not present in the United States. However, Mexico and countries in Central America have been experiencing an outbreak.
Should it enter the United States, the best ways to protect yourself from infestation are to keep open wounds clean and covered, no matter how small or location on the body; wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, hats, and socks to limit exposed skin; use an EPA-registered insect repellent to prevent insect bites; treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin; and sleep indoors or in rooms with screens.