CDC Issues Health Advisory as Screwworm Cases Near Texas Border

Overview

• The CDC alerted U.S. clinicians to the New World screwworm outbreak and provided case recognition, reporting, and treatment guidance.
• A livestock infection in Tamaulipas, Mexico, led authorities to note eight active animal cases near the Brownsville area.
• No infections have been detected in the United States, and the CDC currently assesses the risk to people as low.
• USDA is releasing about 100 million sterile male flies per week in Mexico and plans a new $8.5 million South Texas facility after halting imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico.
• Texas officials expanded border surveillance, with Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller cautioning that recent patterns may reflect natural spread rather than animal movement.