The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasitic fly, has been detected just 25 miles from the U.S. border in Mexico, the closest approach since last September.
- The USDA reports 32 cases in the Mexican state, with 19 active, and over 26,000 cases across Mexico. - In April, the parasite was found 60 miles from the U.S., and Texas officials have warned outdoor enthusiasts since late 2024.
- Last year, the first human case in the U.S. was confirmed in a traveler returning from El Salvador, who recovered without transmission.
- The screwworm lays eggs in open wounds or orifices, feeding on living tissue, and has been moving northward from South America and the Caribbean over the past three years.