USDA Confirms First U.S. Wildlife Case of New World Screwworm, in a Texas Elk

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that it confirmed the first case of New World screwworm in U.S. wildlife, found in an elk on a game ranch in Pecos County, Texas. The elk was reported after a hunter harvested it, the USDA said. The USDA and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are conducting additional wildlife surveillance in the area, and the Texas Animal Health Commission will modify a previously established infested zone. Officials urged hunters and landowners to watch for maggots in wounds, foul-smelling injuries and weak animals, and to report suspicious signs. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture also said Wednesday that it confirmed a case in a beef cow. The USDA confirmed the parasite in a 3-week-old Texas calf in June, and dozens of U.S. cases have been detected since. The USDA says the parasite does not affect food safety but can affect meat production.

Right-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing, while left-leaning and alternative outlets had. Left-leaning coverage focuses on the elk detection, hunter warning signs, and the Mexican cattle import halt, phased reopening and record beef prices. The alternative outlet's excerpt leads with the New Mexico cow case alongside the Texas wildlife detection.