Urgent warning as terrifying parasite that eats animals from the inside out pour into US across Mexican border A terrifying flesh-eating parasite that eats animals from the inside out is pouring across the US border from cattle imported from Mexico.
US Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rosemary Sifford said that 'given the northward movement of NWS, APHIS has in recent months stepped up its efforts in Central America to partner with impacted countries to push this pest out of newly affected areas.
The Chief Veterinary Officer of Mexico notified the US that it had found in infestation in a cow in the southern Mexico state of Chiapas during an inspection near the Guatemala border.
Because it is so difficult to identify screwworm infestations, it is possible that infected cattle have crossed into the US - although the USDA has not stated how many may have been impacted.
The parasite, commonly called a New World screwworm, was eliminated in North America in the late 19th century, but has made a return as cattle from Panama are being smuggled into the nation.
