Episode Details
Back to EpisodesThe New World screwworm fly is threatening the $113 billion U.S. cattle industry for the first time in more than a half century.
Published 1 month, 3 weeks ago
Description
An infestation from its flesh-eating larvae has been confirmed in south Texas in a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, about 100 miles southwest of San Antonio. Federal and state officials had been working to keep the parasite from reaching Texas since its late 2024 appearance in southern Mexico.
The U.S. eradicated the pest by the early 1970s by breeding sterile male flies and dropping swarms from planes to mate with wild females. Guest: Scott Weese, Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College,
Director, Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses at the University of Guelph
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