USDA confirms first New World screwworm case in US wildlife

The short version

• The USDA confirmed the first New World screwworm detection in US wildlife, in an elk in Pecos County, Texas.[CBS News · The Guardian]
• The elk was harvested by a hunter on a game ranch and was then reported.[CBS News · The Guardian]
• The Texas Animal Health Commission will modify an infested zone, while USDA and Texas Parks and Wildlife expand surveillance and hunters and landowners are urged to watch for signs.[CBS News · The Guardian]
• Beyond this single confirmed case, the extent of the parasite in US wildlife remains unknown as surveillance continues.[CBS News · The Guardian]

Key facts

• The USDA confirmed the first New World screwworm detection in US wildlife, in an elk in Pecos County, Texas.[CBS News · The Guardian]
• The elk was located on a game ranch and was reported after a hunter harvested it.[CBS News · The Guardian]
• The Texas Animal Health Commission will modify a previously established infested zone.[CBS News · The Guardian]
• The USDA and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are conducting additional wildlife surveillance in the area.[CBS News · The Guardian]
• Texas wildlife division director Alan Cain urged hunters and landowners to stay vigilant for signs of the pest this season.[The Guardian]
• The pest was eradicated from the US decades ago and has since surged north from Central America through Mexico.[CBS News · The Guardian]
• The US halted livestock imports from Mexico last year and resumed trade in August at an Arizona port under a phased plan.[The Guardian]
• The USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a 3-week-old Texas calf in June.[CBS News · The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Officials confirm flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite found in US wildlifeThe Guardian - World
• First case of New World screwworm found in U.S. wildlife, USDA saysCBS News - US