The cattle markets are rattled after a human case of New World screwworm was confirmed in the United States.
U.S. health officials say it was found in a human returning from an infected area.
The CDC confirms to Reuters that the patient was returning to Maryland from El Salvador.
NCBA says they were made aware of the situation, and says that luckily, no livestock were involved, and they do not expect any risk to the industry at this time.
Less than two weeks ago, USDA announced plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a sterile fly facility at Moore Air Base, which is less than ten miles from the Mexican border. That facility is expected to produce 300 million sterile flies each week.
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The New World Screwworm case was detected roughly 119 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border — at nearly the same latitude as Zapata, Texas.
The spending bill keeps animal health and traceability funding in place while trimming several other USDA accounts.
The Texas Department of Agriculture confirmed a New World Screwworm case about 119 miles from the Texas border, near Zapata, Texas, and north and west of the Rio Grande Valley.
Florida’s import rule shows New World screwworm concerns are already affecting livestock movement and market conditions.
South Texas producers remain on alert as screwworm concerns grow; sterile fly efforts underway to prevent spread.
Strong demand for U.S. beef in Mexico is boosting exports, with buyers seeking both variety meats and high-quality cuts like Prime and Choice ribeye.
