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New York Post
31-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Spread of flesh-eating parasite in Mexico puts US on high alert
A flesh-eating parasite spreading across Mexico and Central America has placed the U.S. on high alert, but government officials say several key steps have been taken in case an outbreak occurs here. According to a June report from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the New World screwworm (NWS) is a fly larva that infests the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including humans, that causes a painful condition known as myiasis. Advertisement According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the name screwworm refers to the feeding behavior of the larvae, known as maggots, as they burrow, or 'screw,' into healthy tissue. When that happens, the CDC says extensive damage could occur as the maggots tear into their host's tissue with sharp mouth hooks. That wound can then become larger and deeper as more larvae hatch and feed on the tissue. The USDA said those infestations of NWS can be fatal if left untreated. Where is the New World screwworm now? According to the APHIS, the NWS is currently known to exist in parts of every country in South America except Chile, as well as in parts of the Caribbean. Advertisement The APHIS said Panama reported a dramatic increase in the number of NWS cases in 2023, and since then has spread northward through Central America. 3 New World screwworm (NWS) is a species of parasitic flies that can cause myiasis and feed on live tissue. CDC And in November 2024, the NWS reached the southern state of Mexico. As of the June report, the APHIS said the NWS has not been spotted in the U.S. What's being done to prevent the New World screwworm from entering the U.S.? Advertisement The APHIS said there are two ways officials can try and prevent the spread of the NWS inside the United States. One of the ways is by preventing contact between NWS flies and non-infested animals, including the prevention and treatment of wounds in non-infected hosts, as well as by quarantining and treating infested livestock. Another way to try and prevent the spread of NWS is by stopping the reproduction cycle altogether. This can be done through the detection and treatment of infested animals, and with the use of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Advertisement That technique exposes NWS pupae to gamma radiation to create sterile NWS flies. These are then released into the wild from either ground level or the air, with sterile males overwhelmingly mating with wild female flies that then lay unfertilized eggs. 3 Government officials say several key steps have been taken in case an outbreak occurs here. Rmd17 – The APHIS said that because female NWS often flies only mate with one male during its lifecycle, the population of NWS flies is progressively reduced and then eradicated. How does it spread? The CDC says New World screwworm infestations begin when a female fly lays its eggs on open wounds or on other parts of the body and mostly affects livestock. However, it can also infest birds and humans. The female flies are attracted to the smell of a wound or other opening, and wounds as small as a tick bite could attract the female. 3 Another way to try and prevent the spread of NWS is by stopping the reproduction cycle altogether. Rmd17 – One female, according to the CDC, can lay 200-300 eggs at a time and could lay up to 3,000 eggs during its 10- to 30-day lifespan. Advertisement Those eggs then hatch into larvae and burrow into the host's flesh. What are the symptoms? As we stated above, infestations are very painful. The CDC says some of the symptoms of infestation include (are you ready?) unexplained skin lesions that don't heal, bleeding from open sores and feeling larvae movement within a skin wound or sore, or in the nose, mouth or eyes. An infected host may also see maggots around or in the open wounds.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Mango accounts for 37% of horticulture area in Gujarat: Govt
Gandhinagar: On the occasion of National Mango Day, which will be observed on Tuesday, the state govt said that mango cultivation accounts for more than one-third of the total area under cultivation for horticulture crops in Gujarat. In 2024–25, mango cultivators in the state exported over 856 metric tonnes of mangoes, the govt said on Monday. Quoting state agriculture minister Raghavji Patel, the statement said that over 1.77 lakh hectares, accounting for 37% of Gujarat's total 4.71 lakh hectares under horticultural crops, are dedicated solely to mango cultivation. Patel said that Gujarat's favourable climate and soil conditions support the growth of not only the Kesar mango but also other varieties such as alphonso, rajapuri, totapuri and sonpari. Mango cultivation in Gujarat is primarily concentrated in the districts of Valsad, Navsari, Gir Somnath, Kutch and Surat. In 2024–25, Valsad led with the highest area under mango cultivation at 38,000 hectares, followed by Navsari with 34,800 ha, Gir Somnath with 18,400 ha, Kutch with 12,000 ha and Surat with over 10,200 ha. Approximately 224 metric tonnes of Kesar mangoes were irradiated and exported this year through the Gujarat Agro Radiation Processing Facility, established by the state govt at Bavla near Ahmedabad. This facility is Gujarat's first and the country's fourth irradiation unit certified by Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the statement added. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad
UPI
30-06-2025
- General
- UPI
USDA to resume livestock imports from Mexico after screwworm fears
June 30 (UPI) -- Imports of livestock from Mexico will resume in phases starting next week after a ban in May at ports of entry because of fear of the spread of New World screwworm, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday. Ports of entry will allow certain cattle, horses and bison to go into Arizona, New Mexico and Texas after they were banned on May 11, the agency said in a news release. The screwworm has been eradicated from the United States for decades. But it has been detected in Mexico as far north as Oaxaca and Veracruz, about 700 miles away from the U.S. border. When NWS maggots burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious and often deadly damage to the animal, USDA said. Mature screwworm larvae can grow up to two-thirds of an inch. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service experts and their counterparts in Mexico worked to increase New World Screwworm surveillance, detection and eradication. A phased reopening of the southern ports will start Monday in Douglas, Ariz., based on the lowest risk because of the geography of Sonora and an effective collaboration between APHIS and Sonora. The other openings are set for July 14 in Columbus, N.M.; July 21 in Santa Teresa, N.M.; Aug. 18 in Del Rio, Texas; and Sept. 15 in Laredo, Texas. In the past eight weeks, there hasn't been a notable increase in reported NWS cases in Mexico or any northward movement, the agency said. USDA has been conducting sterile NWS fly dispersal seven days each week, including the dispersal of more than 100 million flies each week. Five teams of APHIS staff were sent to observe and gain a deeper understanding of Mexico's NWS response. "At USDA we are focused on fighting the New World Screwworm's advancement in Mexico," USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said. "We have made good progress with our counterparts in Mexico to increase vital pest surveillance efforts and have boosted sterile fly dispersal efforts. These quick actions by the Trump Administration have improved the conditions to allow the phased reopening of select ports on the Southern Border to livestock trade. "We are continuing our posture of increased vigilance and will not rest until we are sure this devastating pest will not harm American ranchers." On June 18, she met with cattle fever tick riders along the Rio Grande River. If the NWS advances northward into the United States, these tick riders "will play a crucial role in spotting and combating this pest," an agency news release said. USDSA is building a fly-production center at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas, that could boost domestic sterile fly production by up to 300 million flies per week. Another one is planned at Moore Air Base, which alo could boost domestic sterile fly production by up to 300 million flies per week. This week, Mexico will begin renovation of its sterile fruit fly facility in Metapa with completion by July 2026. The changes will allow for production of between 60 and 100 million sterile NWS flies each week. The goal is produce an estimated 400 to 500 million flies each week to re-establish the NWS barrier at the Darien Gap, which is the border between Panama and Colombia. Only cattle and bison, born and raised in Sonora or Chihuahua, in Mexico, or are treated according to cattle and bison NWS protocol when entering the U.S. will be eligible for import. Equines may import from anywhere in Mexico though there is a seven-day quarantine at the port of entry. USDA plans to remove any federal regulatory hurdles for sufficient treatments and work with state officials on emergency management plans in states. The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association back the agency's efforts.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials step up plans to combat flesh-eating screwworm
Texas officials are stepping up their plans to stop the spread of a flesh-eating parasite, [Reuters reports]( The parasite, known as the New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax), has triggered a public health emergency in Costa Rica, prompting experts to warn Canadian travellers to take precautions. State-side, Texas officials said Wednesday they are building a sterile fly dispersal facility. The Department of Agriculture also announced plans for a sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base, which could take two to three years to construct. New World screwworm (NWS) was eradicated from the U.S. in 1966, but the current health emergencies in central America and Mexico have seen the parasite moving northward. On its website, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) says it has been partnering with other USDA agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and affected countries to combat the outbreak. "APHIS is investing $109.8 million to combat new NWS detections in Central America and Mexico to keep the pest from spreading into North America," the agency's website reads. "With this funding, APHIS aims to eradicate NWS in Central America and Mexico and re-establish the biological barrier." On Wednesday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the USDA is also working with state animal health officials to draft an emergency response and stockpile medications in case NWS breaches the border, according to Reuters. In March, infectious disease specialist Dr. Issac Bogoch took to X to spread awareness and warn Canadians, especially those travelling to destinations like the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Mexico. "The "barrier" preventing New world screwworm flies (Cochliomyia hominivorax) from spreading north of Panama has been breached," The Toronto-based doctor said on social media. "We recently cared for a patient who contracted this infestation on a trip to Costa Rica." Despite what its name suggests, the New World screwworm is not a worm at all—it is a species of parasitic fly. Female screwworm flies lay their eggs in open wounds, scrapes, or insect bites on people and animals. When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into the flesh, feeding on living tissue and potentially causing serious wounds, infections, and even death if left untreated. Infections occur primarily in livestock but people can and do get infected, including an 80-year-old Canadian male traveller who went to a Toronto hospital with an NWS infection (also called myiasis) after visiting Costa Rica. Speaking with CP24, Dr. Bogoch said NWS is a public health issue that can also impact food security. 'This infection can decimate wildlife and livestock,' he told the news outlet. NWS is commonly found in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and South American countries but (APHIS) says cases are spreading to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Mexico, beyond a biological border that had previously contained the spread. The agency says there has been an "explosion" in NWS detections in Panama. In 2023 cases went up from an average of 25 cases annually to more than 6,500 cases in one year. (APHIS/ APHIS and Panama co-managed the biological border that "successfully" contained the pest in South America for "decades," APHIS says on its website. The now-breached barrier resides in the eastern portion of Panama. The outbreak declarations in Costa Rica and Mexico have triggered emergency responses in the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica, which first declared an NWS emergency in February. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you can become infected if: You travel to affected areas (like Costa Rica, Nicaragua, or Mexico); You have open cuts, sores, or scratches; You come into contact with livestock or wildlife carrying the parasite. Canadian travellers can protect themselves by: Covering any cuts or scratches with clean, dry bandages; Using insect repellent, especially on exposed skin; Wearing long sleeves and pants in rural areas or places with plants and trees; Avoiding close contact with stray animals or livestock; Consulting a travel health clinic and a medical professional before travelling. There are no vaccines or medications that prevent infection. If you suspect infection: Seek medical attention immediately. Do not attempt to remove larvae yourself. Treatment usually involves the extraction of the larvae and prescription antibiotics. The parasite typically needs warm conditions to survive and Canada's cooler climate acts as a natural barrier. This parasite is not currently found in Canada, but with travel-related cases increasing and the barrier that once stopped its spread now breached, Canadians heading south should be on alert. Always check travel health advisories and when in doubt, speak to a medical professional before travel. Header image: File photo of new age screwworm larvae (CDC].
Malaysian Reserve
16-06-2025
- Science
- Malaysian Reserve
Detector Dogs: Agriculture's Best Friend
MISSION, Kan., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — (Family Features) They may be cute, fluffy and friendly, but some dogs also have an important job: protecting America's food supply. By deploying specially trained beagles, Labrador retrievers and Jack Russell terriers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Services' (APHIS) Detector Dog Program puts elite canines to work on the front lines at international airports, mail facilities and border crossings throughout the nation. These furry sleuths maneuver between passengers and luggage to search, locate and respond to the presence of banned fruits, plants and meats that may harbor damaging insects and diseases that threaten the country's agricultural production and natural resources. The program was started in 1984 and soon grew in demand. By 2009, APHIS opened a 17-acre National Detector Dog Training Center near the Atlanta International Airport. At the center, dogs and their handlers go through an 8-10-week training program to learn how to inspect passenger luggage and handbags for agricultural goods such as fruits, vegetables, beef and pork. Detector dogs patrol ports of entry, borders and airports to keep harmful pests, like invasive fruit flies, out of the country. For example, labrador retrievers and their handlers protect the nation's fruit by patrolling citrus orchards along the Texas–Mexico border in search of infested or diseased crops. Safeguarding U.S. agriculture and natural resources is part of the program's mission, but APHIS' Detector Dog Program also partners with countries like Canada and Taiwan to supply guidance, training and testing of canine detection. There are even detector dog teams on the job at cargo airports throughout countries in the Pacific, tasked with identifying invasive species and stopping them from reaching Hawaii. The work these dogs and their handlers do is critical to help stop the spread of invasive plant and animal pests and diseases that could ravage America's agriculture. A detector dog's career spans 6-8 years before they retire at 9 years old. At retirement age, 90% of dogs are adopted by their handler. In the rare case they are not, the handler will recommend a good home and a successful adoption program ensures all dogs are well placed. Constantly on the lookout for new pups, APHIS works closely with animal shelters, rescue groups and private individuals to find the right dogs for the job from anywhere in the country. New recruits are 1-3 years old, heartworm negative, have high food drive and are environmentally and socially friendly. The ideal candidate is often that high-energy, hard-to-handle pooch who simply needs a job and a purpose. If you or someone you know would like to help the program grow its squad of super sniffers, email usdacanineadoptions@ call (887) 797-3899 or learn more at Content courtesy of USDA Michael Frenchmfrench@ About Family Features Editorial SyndicateA leading source for high-quality food, lifestyle and home and garden content, Family Features provides readers with topically and seasonally relevant tips, takeaways, information, recipes, videos, infographics and more. Find additional articles and information at and
