What Is Screwworm and Why Is It a Cause for Concern?: Explainer

US authorities are accelerating emergency measures afterthe flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite has been detected in cattle in Texas for the first time in about five decades.

It’s a setback for local farm health officials, who have worked extensively to stop a recent outbreak in Mexico from spreading to the US, and an ominous development for the already embattled livestock sector. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the US is “going to do everything we can, investing over $1 billion” to push the New World screwworm out of the country.

What exactly is screwworm?

The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia ...