Flesh-eating screwworm is confirmed in the U.S., officials say

Key points

• Cochliomyia hominivorax, the New World screw-worm fly, or screw-worm for short, is a species of parasitic fly that is well known for the way in which its larvae (maggots) eat the living tissue.
• A New World screwworm has been detected in a bovine located in Zavala County, Texas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said.
• A three-week-old calf was affected, with larvae were identified in its umbilical area, according to a press statement on Wednesday, adding that there are no further detections to date.
• "USDA invested heavily in the tools needed to eliminate NWS ever since cases started increasing in Central America and Mexico.
• The United States has defeated this pest before, and we will do it again," USDA said.