A man in a cowboy hat gives treats to his cattle in Oakville, Texas on July 15, 2025.

U.S. cattle producers fear return of screwworm

In Texas cattle country, ranchers brace for flesh-eating New World screwworms, which haven’t been seen for 50 years

Parasitic screwworm flies are pushing northward from Central America again after being officially eradicated from the United States in 1966, threatening $1.8 billion in damage to Texas’ economy alone.




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U.S. cattle ranchers criticize government for delayed reporting of human screwworm case

Human screwworm case was Maryland resident who recovered, state health department says

The patient with the first human infestation of travel-associated New World screwworm in the United States has recovered from the flesh-eating parasite, and there was no sign of transmission to other people or animals, the Maryland Department of Health said on Monday. Ranchers criticized a lack of transparency about the case.