{"id":571,"date":"2026-06-09T19:02:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T19:02:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanfranciscomovingguide.com\/?p=571"},"modified":"2026-06-09T19:02:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T19:02:30","slug":"flesh-eating-parasite-found-in-us-after-trump-cut-surveillance-funding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanfranciscomovingguide.com\/?p=571","title":{"rendered":"Flesh-eating parasite found in US after Trump cut surveillance funding"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A flesh-eating parasite that burrows into cattle and other livestock has some California ranchers concerned about a possible outbreak in the state after multiple cases were confirmed in Texas and New Mexico.<\/p>

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Monday that five cases of New World screwworm, or\u00a0NWS,\u00a0have been detected in Texas and New Mexico within the span of a week. Three calves and a goat in Texas were confirmed to have NWS, while the first case in a dog was detected in Lea County in New Mexico, the USDA said. The latter is believed to be an isolated case, but the USDA said it is investigating other animals while also reviewing the dog\u2019s movement history, as the dog may\u00a0have\u00a0been in Mexico.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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No cases have been reported in California so far; however, ranchers are now worried about possible NWS impacts on their livestock, according to Todd Snider, the president of the Kern County Farm Bureau. He said the USDA\u2019s increased surveillance in California should help combat the parasite.<\/p><\/div>

\u201cCalifornia’s livestock industry has been vocal about the need for monitoring and prevention efforts along our border, and we are encouraged that additional attention has been given to California over the past year,\u201d Snider said in a statement to SFGATE.<\/p><\/div>

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Officials at the California Farm Bureau are warning ranchers to keep an eye out for non-healing wounds or maggots on their animals, according to the Bakersfield Californian. Jack Lavers, a Glennville rancher, told the paper that he plans to \u201cbe a little more diligent\u201d when treating wounds on his animals and plans to incorporate garlic into his feed to stave off flies.<\/p><\/div>

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\u201cWhile we address these instances that require immediate attention, and continue to sample suspected cases, we are simultaneously working to eradicate the pest entirely,\u201d Dudley Hoskins, under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, said in a news release. \u201cWe need the partnership of animal owners across the region \u2013 please stay vigilant, check your animals closely, and report anything that looks suspicious.\u201d<\/p>

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NWS flies are slightly larger than regular houseflies and lay eggs inside animal wounds or body openings like noses, ears and genitalia before larvae hatch 12 to 24 hours later, according to UC Davis Veterinary Medicine. Sharp mouth hooks allow larvae to burrow deep inside the flesh and can cause painful wounds that, if left untreated, can be fatal. In rare cases, NWS can affect dogs and humans, the USDA said.<\/p><\/div>

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Last Wednesday, the\u00a0USDA announced the first case of NWS that was detected in an umbilical area of a 3-week-old calf in southwest Texas. According to the USDA, the organization and Texas officials took immediate steps to curb an infestation, which included a plan to release 4 million sterile flies per week to contain NWS in the area.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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