Andrews County
Coverage of Andrews County in the Nexus archive.
- The flesh-eating pest that once cost ranchers millions is back
The New World screwworm, a parasitic fly eradicated from U.S. cattle since 1966, has resurfaced in Texas, New Mexico, and surrounding areas, infecting calves, a goat, and a dog. The outbreak threatens the beef industry, with record-high prices and reduced cattle numbers, exacerbated by recent funding cuts to monitoring programs.
- USDA confirms two more New World screwworm cases in Texas
The USDA confirmed two additional New World screwworm cases in Texas: one in a calf in La Salle County near the Mexican border and another in a dog in Andrews County near the New Mexico border.
- A flesh-eating cattle parasite is spreading in Texas as new far-flung screwworm cases are found
Two new cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed in Texas, with USDA efforts focused on eradicating the pest through sterile male fly programs. The parasite, which infests wounds of cattle and other animals, has led to debates over eradication methods, including a proposed poison bait opposed by some experts. Four confirmed cases have been identified, with scientists cautioning against overestimating the spread.
- Two more Texas screwworm infections found in animals far apart, USDA says
The USDA confirmed two new New World screwworm cases in Texas, bringing the total to four. The agency is using sterile male flies to eradicate the pest, which threatens the cattle industry and was previously eliminated in the U.S. in the 1960s.