Flesh-Eating Parasite Returns: New Horse Case in NM

The United States confirmed a New World screwworm case in a horse in New Mexico on Thursday, marking the state's second confirmed instance since the parasite's re-entry from Mexico in June. This occurrence precedes the planned reopening of a New Mexico port of entry for livestock trade next week, which had been closed due to the screwworm threat. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced preparations for this reopening on Wednesday. Officials are investigating the source of the infestation for the horse in Grant County, near the Mexican border. The U.S. had previously halted livestock imports from Mexico last year to contain the parasite, but trade resumed last month at an Arizona port as part of a phased plan. This trade halt had contributed to tightened U.S. cattle supplies and record-high beef prices. The U.S. currently has three active screwworm cases: the horse in New Mexico, and a dog and a horse in Texas. A previous screwworm outbreak in the 1960s resulted in the deaths of thousands of animals before the pest was eradicated.