Screwworm outbreak raises Texas concerns
DW News · New
DW News
New
An outbreak of flesh-eating parasites in central and northern America has begun spreading through livestock. The new world screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays its larvae in open wounds of warm-blooded animal — including humans.
Breakdown
- Screwworm flies, deadly parasites for livestock, have re-emerged in Mexico. 3s
- A mass eradication program since 2006 had previously contained the pest south of Central America. 47s
- The biological barrier was breached in 2022, resulting in thousands of livestock infections and one human death in Mexico. 1m 4s
- Mexican farmers blame the spread on corruption and lack of government controls at the border. 1m 14s
- The US has stopped cattle imports from Mexico and increased sterilised fly programs, but solutions may take years. 2m 5s