A second case of the flesh-eating New World screwworm has been confirmed in South Texas, raising concerns among livestock producers and prompting Canada to temporarily halt imports of certain Texas livestock while officials work to contain the parasite.
According to reports, the latest detection has intensified efforts by state and federal officials to prevent the parasite from spreading further into the United States. The New World screwworm is a destructive pest whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, creating potentially severe wounds and health complications for livestock and wildlife.
In response, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced restrictions on livestock imports from Texas. Under the order, cattle, horses and other livestock that originated in Texas or were present in the state within 21 days before entering Canada will be denied entry.
Canada imports a significant number of livestock from the United States, including approximately 550,000 cattle last year. Canadian officials said the restrictions are precautionary and noted that the parasite is unlikely to become permanently established in Canada because of its colder climate.
Officials in Texas have pushed back against the move. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently issued a disaster declaration covering Zavala County and neighboring Uvalde County, where the infestations were detected. However, Abbott's spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris criticized Canada's decision, saying Texas and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are moving quickly to contain and eradicate the outbreak.
“This pest affects live animals and does not impact inspected Texas beef,” Mahaleris said, calling Canada's broad livestock restrictions an overreaction.
Meanwhile, some Texas ranchers have voiced frustration with the federal response. During a recent Texas Animal Health Commission briefing attended by roughly 100 ranchers, producers questioned whether the USDA's containment efforts are moving quickly enough.
Rancher John Paul Schuster warned that a larger outbreak could have serious economic consequences for rural communities dependent on ranching and hunting.
Others criticized what they described as a lack of transparency regarding sterile fly release locations and questioned the practicality of USDA recommendations that include daily livestock inspections and preventive treatments on large ranches facing labor shortages.
The outbreak has also sparked political debate. Critics have questioned whether federal budget cuts to overseas monitoring programs contributed to the screwworm's return to the United States. USDA officials have denied that funding reductions played a role, while Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has pointed to previous border and immigration policies as contributing factors and said the agency is investing in expanded sterile fly production and release efforts.
The USDA has emphasized that controlling the outbreak remains a top priority as officials work to prevent the parasite from becoming reestablished in the United States for the first time since it was eradicated decades ago.