Written by JOHN HANNA, Associated Press
The United States has once again closed its southern border to livestock imports due to the spread of a flesh-eating parasite in Mexico. The New World screwworm fly has moved further north in Mexico than previously reported, causing concern among American officials.
Mexico’s president criticized the U.S. for exaggerating the threat posed by the parasite to its beef industry. The New World screwworm fly lays eggs in wounds on warm-blooded animals, with the hatching larvae feeding on live flesh and fluids.
American authorities fear that if the fly reaches Texas, it could result in significant economic losses, as seen decades ago. In the 1970s, the U.S. successfully eradicated the pest by breeding and releasing sterile male flies to mate with wild females. The fly had been contained in Panama until it was discovered in southern Mexico last year.
The U.S. had initially closed its southern border in May to live cattle, horses, and bison imports but later allowed certain ports of entry to reopen. However, with the recent infestation reports further north in Mexico, the border has been closed once again as a precautionary measure.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins assured that vigilant monitoring is in place to respond swiftly to the spread of the parasite. Meanwhile, Mexican authorities are following protocols to address the cases in their country.
To combat the parasite, plans are underway to invest nearly $30 million in new breeding sites for sterile male flies. The goal is to reduce the fly population by preventing the hatching of eggs laid by females mated with sterile males.
Additionally, efforts are being made to establish a new fly factory in southern Mexico by July 2026 and a site in southern Texas for holding sterile flies imported from Panama. U.S. Representatives have also called for the approval of anti-parasite treatments to combat New World screwworm fly infestations in livestock.
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