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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IDA Texas’s Cooper Little discusses producer response to New World Screwworm in Texas, ongoing coordination with animal health officials, and the steps being taken to manage and protect livestock movement across the region.
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez says producers are concerned about the potential impact on cattle operations and livestock values.
Dr. Patrick Webb, Assistant Chief Veterinarian with the National Pork Board, discusses New World Screwworm biosecurity outside of cattle production.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says USDA has been preparing for a New World screwworm outbreak for more than a year as officials expand sterile fly production and containment efforts in Texas.
