‘Everybody is nervous about screwworm’: Texas ranchers prepare for possible livestock parasite outbreak

LOTT, Texas (KWTX) - Ranchers are keeping a closer eye on their animals as the New World Screwworm outbreak could possibly spread.

It’s a flesh-eating parasite that mainly feeds on animals. Although, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the country’s first human case Monday.

Jared Ranley, a fourth generation cattle producer and veterinarian, said that with the beef industry’s demand being at an all-time high, and low supply, infected cattle would rock the industry.

If the screwworm infects herds of cattle across the country, Ranly said prices would skyrocket.

“We have the highest demand ever in history for our beef product. The prices are reflecting that. A lot of that has to do with the supply, the increase in demand. Also right now, we’re unable to import from Mexico due to the screwworm problem,” said Ranly.

Experts said the New World Screwworm looks like a fly that feeds on the flesh of warm-blooded animals.

The parasite can lay eggs in open wounds, which can kill the animal if left untreated.

Reports say screwworm are affecting cattle in South America and Mexico, but are still several hundred miles from the Texas border.

Ranly said he remembers hearing stories of his grandfather treating the screwworm decades ago during an outbreak.

“When we were in vet school learning about it, I thought, ‘This is a thing of the past.’ Never did I ever think in my lifetime that we would be battling the screwworm right here in Texas,” said Ranly.

He said ranchers are bracing themselves for a long battle.

“Everybody is nervous about screwworm coming here and how they’re going to be able to handle our cattle with the labor shortages we have today.”

Ranly is planning ahead to avoid losing revenue.

He said he’s educating his employees, checking cattle multiple times a week for open wounds and has facilities set up for treatment if screwworm hits his farm.

“The screwworm really likes the umbilical cord, the navel area of the calves. That’s what we’ll really have to watch for if screwworm pops up in the United States. We’ll check those baby calves several times a week”

For now, instead of panicking, Ranly wants ranchers to be proactive and do their part.

“The Texas Animal Heath Commission, the USDA, secretary Rollins, all have plans in place. Those plans are being enacted. If it would pop up on our boarder tomorrow, there’s plans in place to control the spread of it domestically. Everyone’s working and everyone’s doing a good job at keeping it at bay,” said Ranly.

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