Flesh-Eating Screwworm Outbreak in Texas Triggers Canada Cattle Ban and Disaster State

A dangerous resurgence of the flesh-eating screwworm parasite has prompted Texas authorities to declare a state of disaster after a second infected calf was identified in the state. The confirmation of this second case, located just miles from the first US case detected in over six decades, has triggered immediate international trade reactions. Canada has imposed a comprehensive ban on all Texas cattle imports, while the closure of key borders has severely disrupted North American livestock supply chains.

The screwworm parasite poses a severe threat to livestock as the flies deposit eggs in open wounds, where larvae hatch and feed on the living tissue of animals, often resulting in fatal infections. The deadly pests were detected in Mexico in late 2024 after years of being successfully contained at the southern end of Panama. The subsequent spread northward into Texas has immediately impacted major local feeding operations, such as Lubbock Feeders in West Texas, which now face empty pens as Mexico experiences an unexpected beef boom due to restricted US competition.

While the outbreak remains concentrated in North America, Indian agricultural and veterinary departments are closely monitoring the situation to protect the domestic livestock sector. India, which boasts the world's largest cattle population, maintains strict sanitary and phytosanitary import regulations on meat and live animal shipments to prevent the entry of exotic pests. Agricultural authorities are expected to tighten inspections on any imported animal products and leather hides from the affected North American regions to ensure the flesh-eating parasite does not threaten domestic dairy and beef markets.