What Is The Flesh Eating Worm Over Which Canada Has Banned Livestock From Texas
What Is The Flesh Eating Worm Over Which Canada Has Banned Livestock From Texas Published By, Last Updated: June 06, 2026, 17:05 IST Canada halts
What Is The Flesh Eating Worm Over Which Canada Has Banned Livestock From Texas Published By, Last Updated: June 06, 2026, 17:05 IST Canada halts imports of cattle and horses recently in Texas after New World screwworm cases, as USDA confirms infected calves and Texas declares a state of disaster. Rapid Read A herd of cattle graze a pasture, a day after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that New World screwworm was detected in a Texas calf, near Zavala County, Texas. (Image: Reuters) Canada has temporarily halted the import of certain livestock from Texas after US authorities detected cases of the New World screwworm, a dangerous flesh-eating parasite that can kill animals if left untreated. The move follows the discovery of two infected calves in Texas and growing concerns that the outbreak, which has been spreading through Mexico and Central America, could move further north. Why Has Canada Imposed The Ban? The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that cattle and horses that have been in Texas within 21 days before entering Canada will not be permitted into the country. The decision came after the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed two cases of New World screwworm infestation in calves in southern Texas.
The state is America’s largest cattle producer, making the outbreak a significant concern for the livestock industry. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has since declared a state of disaster, warning that the parasite poses an “imminent threat" to the state’s agricultural sector. What Is The New World Screwworm? The New World screwworm is not actually a worm but the larval stage of a parasitic fly. Unlike ordinary maggots that feed on dead tissue, screwworm larvae attack living flesh. Female flies lay eggs in open wounds, cuts, or mucous membranes of animals and sometimes humans. Once the eggs hatch, hundreds of larvae burrow into the living tissue using sharp mouth hooks. If untreated, the infestation can cause severe infections, extensive tissue damage and eventually death. How Dangerous Is It? The parasite primarily affects cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, wildlife and pets, but humans can also become infected in rare cases. Open wounds that fail to heal Swelling and bleeding Foul-smelling discharge Visible larvae inside wounds Severe tissue destruction In livestock, infestations can rapidly weaken animals and lead to significant economic losses. Where Were The Texas Cases Found? The first case was detected in a three-week-old calf in La Pryor, near the Mexico border.
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