This Flesh-Eating Border Threat Has Texas Officials On High Alert

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is warning all Texas travelers to stay on their guard against the threat of the New World Screwworm (NWS). These parasitic fly larvae burrow into open wounds of cattle, creating bacterial infections and threatening the lives of pets and livestock across the state.

A Warning From Border Patrol

In a recent press release from CBP, the Laredo Field Office is amplifying their efforts in warning travelers to check for signs of NWS and to help prevent the parasitic flies from continuing to threaten havoc on Texas livestock.

NWS has been detected as close as 55 miles within the U.S.-Mexico border, and the U.S. is fighting back by introducing sterile flies into the populations to cut down on their numbers.

Keeping the pest out of the country and especially away from the livestock industry and the food chain is the U.S.'s top priority.

What is the New World Screwworm?

The reason for these drastic measures taken to combat a small fly is due to the long-term effects the NWS larvae have on farmers' livestock and pets.

You see, female NWS flies lay eggs in open wounds on warm-blooded animals like cows, horses, and even dogs. Once the maggots hatch from the eggs, they begin feeding on the live tissue, creating bacterial infections for their hosts that rot away the flesh.

NWS was officially eradicated from the U.S. back in the 1960s, but a re-emergence has occurred in Mexico and Central America that threatens a breakout into Texas and beyond.

What to Look for and Who to Contact for New World Screwworm

Texans are urged to report any of the following signs that their livestock or pets exhibit:

• Irritated behavior
• Head shaking
• A smell of rot and decay
• A presence of maggots in open wounds

Reports should be made to local veterinarians and the State Animal Health Commission by emailing Dr. Lewis R. Dinges at execdir@tahc.texas.gov.