by Heather Schlitz and Cassandra Garrison, Thomson Reuters
Mexico has recorded 5,086 cases of flesh-eating screwworm in animals as of August 17, a 53% jump from the number of cases reported in July, according to Mexican government data seen by Reuters on Wednesday.
The updated numbers, which have not been previously reported to the public, showed 649 currently active cases.
“That’s absolutely concerning,” said Neal Wilkins, CEO of conservation and cattle group East Foundation. “Having a 50% increase in month-over-month numbers, particularly in the extreme heat, means they haven’t gotten it under control.”
The vast majority of cases were identified in cattle, though Mexican government data also showed infestations in dogs, horses and sheep.
Screwworms are parasites that eat warm-blooded animals alive and can devastate cattle herds and local wildlife.
Since an outbreak began in 2023, screwworms have advanced northward from Central America into Mexico and inched closer to the U.S. American ranchers and livestock industry players have closely monitored the fly’s progress northward, fearing an infestation that would cost Texas, the biggest U.S. cattle-producing state, about $1.8 billion, according to U.S. estimates.
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