Photo: CDC.gov
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas.
The affected animal is a 3-week-old calf and larvae were identified in its umbilical area. To date, there have been no further detections.
USDA and Texas officials are taking immediate action to contain and eradicate NWS from the United States, following the strategies and actions outlined in the NWS Response Playbook.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall issued a statement following USDA’s announcement that the first case of New World screwworm (NWS) has been reported in the United States.
“The re-emergence of New World screwworm in the United States after 60 years will have an immediate impact on farmers and ranchers in the affected areas. We are confident that the longstanding coordination between the states and USDA will enable a quick response and hopefully limit the negative impacts and resulting market volatility.
“We encourage farmers, ranchers and pet owners to familiarize themselves with the signs of NWS and notify a veterinarian if infection is suspected. It is important to be clear about the fact that this re-emergence does not threaten the safety of our food supply. We are fortunate to have one of the safest food supplies in the world, which includes multiple layers of protection.
“We knew the screwworm could one day migrate north, and we appreciate USDA and Secretary Rollins for the coordination and mitigation efforts that have already occurred. Farm Bureau is committed to working with USDA and the affected areas in any way to eliminate this pest once again from the U.S.”
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall responded to the announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that one case of New World Screwworm has been detected in a calf in South Texas:
“NCBA and our state partner organizations have been working for more than a year to combat the incursion of the New World Screwworm, and we are doing everything possible to protect the interests of American cattle producers. We appreciate USDA and other agencies for working rapidly to bolster critical resources that protect producers, including building a domestic sterile fly facility, increasing fly surveillance, and expediting the availability of necessary drugs and treatments for cattle. We defeated this harmful pest before in the 1960s by investing heavily in sterile fly dispersal and NCBA will continue using every tool in the toolbox to ensure Screwworm is eradicated in the U.S. once again.”
House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) issued the following statement in response to domestic detection of New World Screwworm:
“For well over a year, Secretary Brooke Rollins and her team at USDA have been working around the clock alongside federal agencies, state partners and animal health experts to prevent New World Screwworm from entering the United States—longer than many thought possible—and to ensure we are prepared to respond to a potential domestic case. Their proactive efforts have strengthened our defenses against this serious threat to animal health and the livestock industry, and we appreciate their continued commitment to protecting American agriculture.
“The detection of New World Screwworm within our borders should not be cause for panic, but rather time for the full deployment of the next phase of the whole-of-government response USDA has been planning for months. We have the tools, resources and an action plan to aggressively respond, enhance surveillance and prevent further spread. By working closely with producers, animal health officials, and our federal and state partners, we will take the necessary steps to protect and safeguard America’s livestock industry. We have successfully eradicated this threat to livestock, wildlife and animal health before, and we’re confident we will do so again.”
For more information on USDA’s actions to contain and eradicate New World Screwworm go to screwworm.gov.
Compiled news releases
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