First case of flesh eating screwworm confirmed in US wildlife

The first case of New World screwworm in U.S. wildlife has been detected in a Texas elk, raising concerns about the parasite’s spread as federal and state officials work to protect the country’s livestock industry.

The Department of Agriculture confirmed the detection, marking a new development in efforts to contain the flesh-eating parasite, which has threatened livestock in the region and prompted restrictions on animal imports from Mexico after a case was found in a Texas calf this summer.