New World screwworm case confirmed 62 miles from Texas border

AUSTIN, Texas (KCBD) - The Texas Department of Agriculture is reporting an active case of the New World screwworm in northern Mexico closer to Texas than ever before.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said the confirmed case, now just 62 miles from the U.S. border, is a “flashing red warning sign we will not ignore.”

Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality reported the case Sunday. It was found in a one-year-old calf in Nuevo León.

While the screwworm is not in Texas yet, it is inching closer. Miller is urging ranchers to monitor their animals and report any concerning signs.

Warning signs

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that within three days after initial infestation, hundreds or thousands of larvae may be present.

Ranchers should look for larvae visible in wounds or places like the nose and ears, as well as egg masses in or around wounds.

Other signs include wounds with a thin, watery discharge and an odor of decay, or wounds that enlarge or deepen over time.

Behavioral signs of irritation include head shaking or rubbing against trees. Signs of pain include depression, irritability and isolation.

Ranchers who notice any of these signs should call their veterinarian immediately.