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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“Good flies? Is that like a good fire ant?” Miller said. “I don’t know what a good fly is. I don’t know if they’re afraid to kill house flies or stable flies, but I’m ready to kill the screwworm fly.”
Large animal veterinarian Dr. Rosalyn Biggs with Oklahoma State University warns producers may not be prepared for the real threat of New World Screwworm.
Mexico’s tougher, two-step treatment and added checkpoints are catching cases before they can spread—good news for producers near the border.
Fewer placements and historically low marketings point to tighter cattle supplies ahead, with Nebraska and Kansas gaining ground as Texas feedlots face supply pressure and the threat of New World Screwworm.
What is it like working cattle with an outbreak of New World Screwworm so close to home? Wayne Cockrell, with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, joined us on Wednesday to discuss.
