MEXICO CITY — Mexico is grappling with a severe and escalating outbreak of the flesh eating screwworm parasite, recording a 32% surge in confirmed cases with the total number now reaching 6,703. The alarming northward progression of the infestation primarily impacting cattle, has led to a major diplomatic dispute with the United States over containment measures and livestock imports.
The latest data from Mexico sanitation agency, Senasica, indicates a concerning concentration of the outbreak as it moves closer to the U.S. border. A vast majority of the confirmed cases are in cattle, sparking fears over the safety of the nation livestock and the potential economic fallout for both countries.
The New World Screwworm a parasitic fly whose larvae burrow into the living flesh of warm-blooded animals, was successfully eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s making its resurgence near the border a critical threat.
Escalating Border Tensions
Diplomatic tensions between Mexico and the United States have intensified, with the U.S. maintaining a closed border policy for Mexican cattle imports. This is fueled by accusations from the U.S. that Mexico has not implemented sufficient containment measures. The recent detection of a case in the northern state of Nuevo Leon, less than 70 miles from the U.S. border, has dramatically raised the threat level.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has suspended imports of cattle, bison, and horses from Mexico and is actively pursuing its “five-pronged plan” to protect the American livestock industry, which could face an estimated $1.8 billion in losses in Texas alone if the parasite crosses the border. The U.S. is investing heavily in new facilities in Texas for the production and release of sterile male screwworm flies a biological control method successfully used decades ago while accusing Mexico of hindering collaboration.
Both nations now face a critical challenge to manage the parasitic threat, with the dispute underscoring the urgency of re-establishing an effective biological barrier to protect the continental livestock industry.