A terrifying flesh-eating parasite that eats animals from the inside out is pouring across the US border from cattle imported from Mexico.
The parasite, commonly called a New World screwworm, was eliminated in North America in the late 19th century, but has made a return as cattle from Panama are being smuggled into the nation.
The US Department of Agriculture (USAD) was alerted about the invasion last month after livestock at the border was infected, warning the parasite could have moved into the nation.
Screwworm larvae are creamy white in color and are deposited on the edge of superficial wounds.
When the eggs hatch, they typically enter the bloodstream through the open wound and will not only infest themselves in livestock, but can also burrow their way into humans.
The Chief Veterinary Officer of Mexico notified the US that it had found in infestation in a cow in the southern Mexico state of Chiapas during an inspection near the Guatemala border.
Because it is so difficult to identify screwworm infestations, it is possible that infected cattle have crossed into the US – although the USDA has not stated how many may have been impacted.
The USDA has asked cattle producers to monitor their livestock and pets to stop the screwworm’s spread and to immediately report any possible cases.
Screwworm larvae (pictured) are placed around the edges of superficial wounds and will burrow their way inside the skin of livestock and humans
US Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rosemary Sifford said that ‘given the northward movement of NWS, APHIS has in recent months stepped up its efforts in Central America to partner with impacted countries to push this pest out of newly affected areas.
‘With this latest find in Mexico, we will further intensify this work to protect American agriculture and reestablish the barrier in Central America.’
The US, Mexico and Central America paid a collective cost of $800 million to completely eradicate the screwworm more than three decades ago, but illegal cattle trafficking has fueled a resurgence.
Screwworms typically don’t travel more than a couple miles, but the illegal trade of infected cattle has forced the parasite to spread 700 miles from the southern border of North America to Central America’s pacific coast.
The infestation originated in Nicaragua, passing through Honduras and Guatemala before it spread to Mexico’s livestock.
Jeremy Radachowsky, the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Regional Director for Mesoamerica said the parasite reached Mexico in just two and a half months and clarified that while there have been two reported cases in southern Mexico, there have not yet been any reported in the US.
‘Evidence directly links illegal cattle trafficking to the screwworm’s resurgence,’ Radachowsky said.
‘By bypassing sanitary controls, often with stressed, undernourished, and injured livestock, cattle smuggling creates the ideal conditions for transboundary transmission of diseases, including brucellosis, tuberculosis, and parasites such as the screwworm.’
The US has temporarily blocked cattle imports from Mexico after a flesh-eating parasite was discovered on livestock that were being shipped to the country
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) warned that if the screwworm infestation continues to spread, it ‘could cause catastrophic economic losses, devastate rural economies and trigger a public health crisis.’
If the parasite isn’t eradicated quickly, it could take decades to fully remove the parasite, likely costing American taxpayers billions of dollars, according to WCS.
‘The parasite has the potential to spread to the US if unchecked, yet is still very far,’ Radachowsky told DailyMail.com.
However, he added that ‘the major impact at this moment has been the closure of exports of Mexican beef from Mexico to the US.’
The disruption of cattle trade will have a costly impact, with the number of incoming beef exports amounting to $3 billion in profit for the US last year alone.
As of November 21, 2024, the number of cattle imports from Mexico to the US amounted to more than 1.2 million – an increase from just over one million last year.
In the wake of the infestation, Mexico authorities have said they’re taking drastic measures to prevent further spread including treating wounds on livestock, deworming cattle and implementing larvicide baths.
These baths are applied through a spray that is used to kill the screwworm larvae before it can transform into a full-fledged parasite.
Mexico has also introduced additional inspection stations – like the one in Chiapas that discovered the first infestation – throughout the country.
The WCS warned that ‘only bold, coordinated international action can protect biodiversity, save billions in public spending and livestock losses, and prevent a crisis from spiraling out of control.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .