Texas: Screwworm Detections (n=29) Spread to 12 Counties

 

#19,229

Since our last update (Saturday), the USDA has added 3 more screwworm detections (in 2 new Texas counties; Pecos & Uvalde), bringing the total to 29.

So far, the parasite has been detected in 17 cattle, 7 sheep, 3 goats, and 2 dogs. No detections in wildlife have been reported, but surveillance is quite limited. 

Complicating matters, across the border in Mexico, the screwworm continues to spread north, potentially providing additional reinforcements for the first arrivals to U.S. soil. 

During the month of June, there were 112 screwworm reports within 100 miles of the Texas border. 

Given the short life cycle of the New World Screwworm(see below) we are likely already well into the second generation in Texas. And each new arrival only exacerbates the problem. 

Reportedly, the USDA dispersing between 4 and 8 million sterile screwworm flies per week into the known infested counties of Texas, but the plan is to expand those  numbers 10-fold by 2027.

Meaning this fight isn't going to be won overnight.