New World screwworm confirmed in Texas, stoking fresh cattle fears
A parasitic fly, the New World screwworm, has been detected in Zavala County, Texas, marking its return to the United States after a 60-year absence. This discovery raises concerns for the already strained U.S. beef industry, which is facing record-high retail prices and the smallest cattle herd in 75 years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has initiated an emergency response, focusing on quarantine and treatment rather than culling, though the industry fears significant economic losses and potential drops in consumer demand. AI
