LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller, is advising Texas producers to be on high alert after officials confirmed a sighting of the New World Screwworm near the U.S.-Mexico border.
It was found in the Nuevo Leon state of Mexico, just 90 miles from the Texas border. Luckily, the USDA has systems in place to detect and prevent the fly from infiltrating and wreaking havoc on the livestock industry in the states. But despite department’s efforts, Commissioner Miller says the New World Screwworm has not been successfully contained yet.
Miller is urging every producer to check their animals, and know the signs of the Screwworm. If you see anything unusual, report it immediately. There is a zero margin for delay, and early detection is the difference between containment and a full-blown crisis.
Here’s what to look for: larvae that is visible in wounds, the nose, or the ears, as well as egg masses in or around wounds. Keep an eye out for any wounds with a thin, watery discharge with an odor of decay, or that enlarge or deepen over time. Additionally, if you notice any behavioral signs of irritation – like head shaking or rubbing against trees – or signs of pain – like depression, irritability, and isolation – you should take that animal to the veterinarian immediately.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, by three days after the initial infestation, hundreds or thousands of larvae could be present.
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