A new case of New World Screwworm has been detected in Mexico.
The parasitic worm was discovered last week in Mexico’s Tabasco State. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says it will not restrict cattle imports from the country after recently lifting its November ban and reopening the border.
The re-opening came after USDA and Mexico established new protocols for assessing animal health before import. USDA says the new protocol will keep New World screwworms out of the U.S.
Despite the confidence from the USDA, the newly reported case was a major market mover for cattle, with fears of another border shutdown pushing feeder cattle futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange yesterday.
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Dr. Rosslyn Biggs with the Oklahoma State University Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine shares insight into biosecurity, preparedness, and animal health concerns facing livestock producers as New World screwworm outbreaks continue in Mexico.
