The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $30 million to expand sterile fly control programs<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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FRIDAY, Sept. 26, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 A dangerous parasite once eliminated in the United States has been detected in northern Mexico, close to the U.S. border.<\/p>\n
Mexico\u2019s agriculture ministry confirmed Sunday that an 8-month-old cow in Nuevo Le\u00f3n tested positive for New World screwworm<\/a>. The animal was part of a shipment of 100 cattle from Veracruz, but only one showed signs of infestation.<\/p>\n The cow was treated, and all others received ivermectin, an antiparasitic medication, officials said.<\/p>\n The case was found in Sabinas Hidalgo, a small city less than 70 miles from Texas. It is the northernmost detection so far, moving much closer to the U.S. border than earlier outbreaks in other parts of Mexico.<\/p>\n Screwworm flies lay eggs in wounds and their larvae feed on living tissue, causing serious injury in livestock. The parasite was eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s by mass-producing and releasing sterile flies to contain the flies\u2019 range, but recent outbreaks in Central America and Mexico have caused concerns again.<\/p>\n It is a \u201cnational security priority\u201d U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins<\/a> said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and multiple other agencies are “executing a phased response strategy that includes early detection, rapid containment and long-term eradication efforts,” the statement said.<\/p>\n Further, the USDA has invested nearly $30 million this year to expand sterile fly production in Panama and build a new facility in Texas, The New York Times<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n Thousands of fly traps have also been placed along the border, with no infected flies detected so far.<\/p>\n Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum<\/a> said U.S. officials recently inspected local control measures and will issue a report soon. U.S. ports remain closed to livestock, bison and horse imports from Mexico until further notice, The Times s<\/em>aid.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has more on the New World screwworm<\/a>.<\/p>\n