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Straits Times
an hour ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Bird flu wiped out poultry, and now the screwworm is coming for beef
AUSTIN, Texas – First came bird flu, which led to the culling of large swaths of the nation's poultry flocks and the soaring egg prices that helped undermine President Joe Biden's reelection. Now, ranchers in Texas and officials at the Agriculture Department are raising the next alarm: the New World screwworm. Texas livestock producers and ranchers fear that the United States is ill-equipped to handle a potential outbreak of screwworm, whose incursion into the country appears increasingly likely. With beef prices already soaring, the screwworm, whose Latin name roughly translates to 'man-eater,' is a real threat, to both cows and the cost of living for America's meat lovers. 'If we wait, we lose,' Mr Stephen Diebel, vice-president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, told state lawmakers during a hearing in Austin this month as he pleaded for intervention. The screwworm, like the measles, may have been forgotten by many, but it's not new. And like the measles, which has cropped up in Texas recently, screwworm was once all but eradicated from the United States. Infestations occur when a female fly lays eggs, between 10 and 400 at a time, on a fresh animal wound. Within a few hours, the eggs hatch into larvae that burrow and feed on the flesh. As the wound worsens, it attracts more flies, which lay more eggs. After about a week, adult screwworm flies can reproduce and begin the cycle all over again. The parasitic infection can kill a cow within two weeks if left untreated. There is currently no approved treatment. 'It's like something out of a horror movie,' the Texas agriculture commissioner, Mr Sid Miller, said in an interview. He saw distressed cattle infested with screwworm when he was a child in the early 1960s before it was nearly eradicated. 'It's quite a putrid sight,' he said. Livestock, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, humans can be affected. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business No clarity yet on baseline or pharmaceutical tariffs with US: DPM Gan Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days Asia Fragile Thailand-Cambodia truce faces challenges on day one Opinion Nobel Prize? Maybe not, but give Asean credit for Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire Singapore Facts and myths intersect at the National Museum's new glass rotunda installation Singapore Liquidators score victory to recoup over $900 million from alleged scammer Ng Yu Zhi's associates Multimedia Making a splash: Picture-perfect moments from the World Aquatics Championships in S'pore Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD In the 1950s, scientists discovered that radiation effectively sterilises screwworm flies, and the federal government began an eradication program. A small outbreak in a deer population in the Florida Keys was snuffed out in 2017. Now, a potentially bigger threat is approaching, migrating north from South America, where screwworm is endemic. It has been detected as close as 370 miles (595km) from Texas' border, carried by the surge of animals coming through the Darien Gap, a once largely impenetrable jungle area that separates South America and Central America. A joint eradication effort between the United States and Panama has largely kept screwworm south of Central America for decades. Illegal livestock transport and warm weather patterns have also contributed to the worm's climb north, a spokesperson for the Agriculture Department said. 'For small herds, it could wipe us out,' said Ms Shelbie Pippenger, who, with her husband, has a small herd in Texas and helps manage other ranches. 'Once something starts, it's difficult to stop it.' Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced in June an US$8.5 million (S$10.95 million) initiative based in Texas that will produce sterile male screwworm flies and then drop them into affected areas. Female flies mate only once in their lifetime, so the sterile flies eventually overwhelm and eradicate the pest. Ms Rollins also committed US$21 million to renovate a fly production facility in Mexico, where 60 million to 100 million sterile male flies would be produced each week for use in Mexico or Texas by the end of the year. But that effort would yield only about 20 per cent of the sterile flies the United States would need to manage an outbreak, experts said. Around 600 million flies were released each week to eradicate screwworm decades ago. Senator John Cornyn introduced legislation that would provide US$300 million to construct a facility to breed and sterilise flies, but the House has left Washington for the summer. 'We are desperately short on sterile fly production,' Mr Diebel said. Even before the fear of pestilence, the industry was facing challenges. Drought and high feed prices have pushed the American cattle inventory to the lowest it has been since 1952, according to the Agriculture Department. Domestic beef prices hit record highs in May, at an average of US$5.98 per pound for ground beef, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Beef from Brazil, the world's largest beef exporter, could bring some price relief, although President Donald Trump has promised to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian imports, beginning in August. And now, the screwworm is threatening to wipe out whole cattle herds in the United States. The tusklike mandibles protruding from the screwworm larva's mouth. The larva, left by a parasitic fly on a fresh animal wound, attracts more flies eventually killing a cow within two weeks. PHOTO: JOHN KUCHARSKI/U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE/NYTIMES Before the screwworm was eradicated, US beef producers experienced as much as US$20 million of economic loss each year from animal deaths, decreased livestock production, increased veterinary costs and other expenses, according to the Agriculture Department. Texas Governor Greg Abbott did not respond to questions about whether he would approve state funding for a fly factory. Mr Abbott has directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission to create a response team to lead the state's screwworm preparations. Meanwhile, based on how fast the screwworm is traveling, Mr Miller said it could reach Texas within four months. In economic terms, the screwworm is already here, modestly at least. About 3 per cent of US cattle come from Mexico, but citing inadequate surveillance of screwworm, the Agriculture Department cut off imports of Mexican cattle in November 2024. Federal officials resumed the trade in February after Mexico put in place more rigorous inspection protocols. But imports were shut off again in May after the pest was detected in Veracruz and Oaxaca. NYTIMES
Bangkok Post
3 hours ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Talks depend on truce in border altercation
Though the US has already reached trade agreements with many countries, Thailand's negotiations with Washington remain complicated in the final phase as President Donald Trump says a Thailand-Cambodia truce is a condition for resuming trade talks. Wikij Tirawannarat, senior vice-president of Bualuang Securities, said the border standoff could have economic consequences given Trump's condition. Trump said he spoke to leaders of Thailand and Cambodia, noting US officials were asked to resume trade negotiations with both countries, which agreed to halt fighting along the border. However, the Royal Thai Army claimed Cambodia violated the hours-old truce, with sporadic clashes continuing despite an agreement to end the deadly fighting in the disputed areas. "Thailand's negotiations with the US on tariff rates for Thai exports face higher risks and complications as Trump insists on a truce as a condition for trade talks," said Mr Wikij. "The situation remains unclear. Regarding stock market investment, such uncertainties could lead to panic selling about a week from now." The global economy remains steady after the US reached an agreement on tariffs with many major economies including the European Union, China and Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. "However, Thailand remains under threat from ongoing floods, losses from the border conflict with Cambodia and an economic slowdown, mainly due to higher US tariffs," he said. Padermpob Songkroh, managing director of Krungsri Securities, said risks associated with the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute remain after both countries agreed to an unconditional ceasefire following peace talks in Malaysia on Sunday. Concerning trade negotiations with the US, downside risks "are unlikely to be huge" after Trump said on Monday most trading partners that did not negotiate separate trade deals would soon face tariffs of 15% to 20%. "Such a scenario is in line with the Bank of Thailand's forecast that Thailand could face a 18% US tariff, with Thai GDP likely to expand by 2.3% this year," said Mr Padermpob. Rakpong Chaisuparakul, senior vice-president of KGI Securities (Thailand), said the border ceasefire should ease stress from the military clash and the potential implications for the Thai economy, notably border trade between the two countries. Based on recent press reports, Trump seems pleased with the ceasefire deal, which could be a good sign for finalising a US-Thailand trade deal by the Aug 1 deadline, he said.
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
The Bulletin July 24, 2025
The rundown: Thailand launched airstrikes against Cambodian forces along their disputed border after troops exchanged fire in a dramatic eruption of tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. Here's what we know. Why it matters: Cambodian media reported ongoing exchanges of fire around the ancient Ta Moan and Ta Krabei temples. The first reports of fighting emerged at the Ta Muen Thom temple. All sit along the disputed territorial line. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok has responded to the border clashes. "The Embassy is receiving reports today, July 24, of fighting, including rocket and artillery fire, between Cambodian and Thai forces along the border," the embassy said in a post on Facebook. Read more in-depth coverage: China Reacts to Deadly Thailand, Cambodia Border Fight TL/DR: A Cambodian civil aviation official said flights between Cambodia and Thailand are continuing as scheduled, despite the current clashes at the border. What happens now? The U.S. Embassy said: "There are reports of casualties and the Thai government is ordering the evacuation of certain areas. U.S. citizens living or traveling near the Thailand-Cambodia border should follow direction from Thai security services and consult local government authorities for the latest information." Deeper reading Thailand, Cambodia Exchange Fire Around Ancient Temples: Live Updates
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Be Cautious And Responsible When Commenting On Issues Involving Other Countries
KUALA SELANGOR, July 29 (Bernama) -- All parties must exercise caution and responsibility when commenting on issues involving other countries, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. Amirudin, who is also Selangor Menteri Besar, said not every matter should be turned into political capital, stressing that Malaysia's political landscape requires maturity and moderation. He said this when asked to comment on the remarks by PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who was accused of belittling Malaysia's diplomatic initiative to broker a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. He said such remarks reflect the character of irresponsible leaders who should be able to distinguish between political manoeuvres, national sovereignty and the country's future, he noted. 'What is important is that we remain mature in such situations. I heard he has apologised, which is a good step, but if everyone from the outset refrained from twisting issues for political gain, we would be in a far better, peaceful and stable place,' he said. Amirudin was met at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Selangor Menteri Besar's Cup Marching Competition for uniformed units at Universiti Selangor (Unisel), Bestari Jaya campus, here today. Earlier, Ahmad Fadhli, who is also Pasir Mas Member of Parliament, posted on social media an illustration of three animals showing a goat and a sheep fighting over a banana with a monkey as judge, accompanied by the caption, 'the goat and sheep should not need the monkey to mediate in a banana dispute'. The post, which included a screenshot of news on the Thailand-Cambodia conflict, drew public criticism. Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to ease tensions along their disputed border, following a special meeting he chaired in Putrajaya.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Amirudin urges caution when commenting on foreign issues
KUALA SELANGOR: All parties must exercise caution and responsibility when commenting on issues involving other countries, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. Amirudin, who is also Selangor Menteri Besar, emphasised that not every matter should be turned into political capital. He stressed the need for maturity and moderation in Malaysia's political landscape. He made these remarks in response to PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari's comments, which were seen as undermining Malaysia's diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. 'Such remarks reflect the character of irresponsible leaders who should be able to distinguish between political manoeuvres, national sovereignty, and the country's future,' he noted. Amirudin welcomed Ahmad Fadhli's subsequent apology but reiterated that avoiding politicisation from the outset would foster a more stable environment. The Selangor Menteri Besar was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Selangor Menteri Besar's Cup Marching Competition for uniformed units at Universiti Selangor (Unisel), Bestari Jaya campus. Earlier, Ahmad Fadhli had posted a controversial illustration on social media depicting a goat and sheep fighting over a banana, with a monkey as judge. The caption read, 'the goat and sheep should not need the monkey to mediate in a banana dispute.' The post, which included a screenshot of news on the Thailand-Cambodia conflict, drew widespread criticism. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced that Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate ceasefire following a special meeting in Putrajaya, attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. – Bernama
