For the first time this century, New World screwworm has been found in a horse in a Texas border county. The infestation was discovered on the hind leg of a working horse in Presidio County, adding to an outbreak that has already resulted in dozens of confirmed cases in Texas. New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, putting cattle, horses, pets, wildlife, and even people in rare cases at risk. The latest detection comes as federal and state officials continue surveillance and containment efforts, even after recently clearing two previously infested zones in Texas.
Why This Matters:
New World screwworm is more than an animal health problem because an expanding outbreak can put livestock production and the food supply under additional pressure. Infestations can injure or kill cattle, increase treatment and containment costs, and lead to movement restrictions that disrupt normal livestock operations. Finding the parasite in another type of animal near the Texas border shows the threat remains active even as officials make progress containing it. If cases continue spreading through major cattle-producing areas, the added losses and costs could eventually reach consumers through tighter supplies and higher meat prices. Keeping food storage at home can provide some protection from sudden price increases or disruptions in the food supply.
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Source: Breitbart
By: Bob Price
