A case of New World screwworm has been reported in South Texas. If confirmed, it would be the first detected breach of the US-Mexico border by the ravenous flesh-eating flies, which have been making their way up through Central America for the past several years.
In a social media post Wednesday afternoon, the US Department of Agriculture said a "sample is now at USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, lowa for confirmatory testing. We will provide updates the moment results are available." It added that "We have already activated personnel on the ground and are working with local partners."
Chatter of a screwworm detection had already been building this week, rattling the US cattle industry.
This article was originally published by Ars Technica and written by Beth Mole .
Read original article on Ars Technica