USDA Races To Contain Parasitic Fly Before Spread

(La Pryor, TX) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is racing to contain a parasitic fly that can affect livestock, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, humans.

Officials confirmed the New World screwworm fly was found on a calf in Texas about 50 miles from the Mexican border, and it marks the first confirmed case in Texas since 1966.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said response teams are already on the ground, and a 12-mile quarantine zone has been established around the detection site.

According to Rollins – who testified before Congress on Thursday – the USDA is confident that there is “no threat of mass infestation” and the food supply is not at risk.