First travel-associated human screwworm case detected in U.S.

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The U.S. has confirmed its first travel-associated case of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, in a Maryland resident who recently returned from El Salvador, raising concerns within the beef and livestock industries. The presence of this parasite, which can devastate cattle herds, has prompted criticism of The Department of Agriculture (USDA) for not taking timely measures to prevent its entry into the U.S. Potential economic impacts are estimated at $1.8bn in Texas alone. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has empowered the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite authorizations for veterinarians and farmers to use animal drugs against the New World screwworm. The FDA said: "The risk to human health in the United States remains very low, but the potential future threat to animal populations and the food supply chain requires proactive action." The USDA plans to invest $750m in a facility to produce sterile flies to combat the pest.


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