US livestock face rising New World Screwworm cases as Mississippi reports none

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported a total of 20 New World Screwworm detections in the United States, all confined to Texas and New Mexico. Seventeen of those cases remain active in Texas, including a cluster of four animals (three cattle and one goat) on a single property in Terrell County, the largest single‑premises finding since the parasite reappeared earlier this month.

Mississippi state officials confirmed no screwworm cases have been found in the state. Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson and state veterinarian Jim Watson emphasized that the parasite is an animal‑health issue rather than a food‑safety threat and described a response plan that urges farmers and pet owners to inspect livestock regularly and report any wounds or maggots promptly.

Experts noted the screwworm, eradicated from the United States in the 1960s through a sterile‑male program, can infest live cattle, goats, and dogs, causing severe tissue damage. While the current outbreak is limited to Texas and New Mexico, authorities warned that continued vigilance is essential to prevent spread into other southern states.