USDA Announces Suspected New World Screwworm Detection in South Texas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that officials suspect the New World screwworm fly has arrived in South Texas.

The announcement identified a suspected case of the New World screwworm in the region. According to the USDA, officials are investigating the potential presence of the pest in South Texas.

If the suspected case is confirmed, it would represent the fly's first breach of the U.S.-Mexico border. The New World screwworm has been described in reports as a flesh-eating pest.

The USDA made the announcement Wednesday regarding the suspected detection. The department has not yet confirmed whether the New World screwworm has definitively established a presence in the United States.

The suspected case marks a potential development for agricultural monitoring in the region. Authorities continue to assess the situation to determine whether the New World screwworm fly has crossed into U.S. territory from Mexico.

The current status of the investigation remains ongoing. Officials are working to confirm the suspected case and determine the extent of any potential presence of the New World screwworm in South Texas.