Houston-area ranchers worry about reemergence of screwworm

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A flesh-eating parasite that was eradicated from the United States decades ago has been detected in Texas for the first time since 1966, prompting an aggressive response from state and federal agriculture officials.

The New World Screwworm was found in the umbilical area of a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas, southwest of San Antonio, according to agriculture officials. The discovery has alarmed ranchers and livestock producers who fear the parasite could further strain an already struggling cattle industry.

Officials have established a 20-kilometer control zone around the detection site and implemented quarantines, movement restrictions and increased surveillance. Authorities are also releasing millions of sterile New World screwworm flies to suppress the population.

The parasite's larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, female flies lay eggs in open wounds, and the emerging larvae burrow into and consume healthy tissue.

"It's very scary. The screwworm is a nasty critter," said Ray Law, owner of Law Ranch Cattle Company in Crosby.

Law said the timing could not be worse for cattle producers, who are already facing high cattle prices and shortages in beef cows.

"They like to get into the navel of newborn calves, and it is really nasty because they eat the animal alive," Law said.

Law said widespread government intervention is necessary to stop the parasite from spreading.

"The best method is releasing sterile males," he said. "A female can only mate one time. If she mates with an infertile male, she can't produce offspring."

Agriculture officials said no additional detections of the parasite have been reported in the United States. They also emphasized that the screwworm does not infest food products.

Texas health officials are urging residents and livestock owners to remain alert for signs of infestation. Gov. Greg Abbott said state officials will provide an update on the response during a news conference scheduled for Friday morning in Austin.