Flesh-Eating Parasite Found at Texas-Mexico Border Threatens Wildlife

Govind Tekale

Texas officials discovered a flesh-eating parasite at Mexico's border checkpoint, raising concerns about its northward movement through the Americas.

Photo Source: Gilles San Martin Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The New World Screwworm fly larvae burrow into living tissue through open wounds, causing painful infections that can be fatal to animals and humans.

Photo Source: Entomology CSIRO Wikimedia (CC BY 3.0)

Last spotted in Chiapas, Mexico, near Guatemala's border, this parasitic threat had been successfully eliminated from the United States since 1966.

Photo Source: Addicted04 Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Wildlife officials urge South Texas residents to watch for signs like irritated behavior, appetite loss, and decaying flesh smell in animals.

Photo Source: Tima Miroshnichenko (Pexels)

The parasitic fly currently plagues Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and various South American nations, prompting heightened border surveillance.

Photo Source: Lady3mlnm Wikimedia (CC0 1.0)

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends cleaning wounds and using insect repellent while outdoors to prevent screwworm infections.

Photo Source: Roger Brown (Pexels)

Hunters, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts are asked to report any suspicious animal behavior -to local wildlife biologists or USDA officials immediately.

Photo Source: FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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