2 days ago
Officials launch investigation into false claims of New World screwworm in Missouri
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An investigation is underway after rumors began swirling about a New World screwworm in Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA).
The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Rural Crimes Investigative Unit (RCIU) and the Livestock and Farm Protection Task Force said they are aware of a false statement made last week regarding New World screwworm in the state.
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According to the USDA, New World screwworm is a devastating pest that can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds – and in rare cases, people; when New World screwworm fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal.
The two groups, along with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, are currently investigating this matter, according to the MDA.
According to the MDA, this investigation is the result of a request on May 28 from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and MDA Director Chris Chinn to discover the culprit and determine if this was an act with malicious intent to cause panic in agricultural markets.
On May 27, the MDA said a false press release was sent to a northwest Missouri radio station. The information was quickly discovered to be false—but not before setting off a frenzy of animal health concerns, market scare and detriment to consumer trust, according to the MDA.
This case is considered an open and active investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control at 573-526-6122.
RCIU focuses solely on the investigation of crimes unique to the agricultural industry and farming communities within the state of Missouri. Formed in 2009, RCIU was designed after successful undercover efforts that served to address increasing incidents of specific agriculture-related crimes.
For more information about the RCIU, click here. For more information about the MDA and its programs, click here.
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