THE FLESH-EATING SCREWWORM HAS GAINED A FOOTHOLD IN THE U.S… AND MEXICO DID NOT ACT CAREFULLY ENOUGH

A dangerous outbreak of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite that attacks livestock, pets, wildlife and even humans in rare cases, has now become a major concern in the United States.

According to the report, U.S. authorities have already confirmed cases in cattle, goats, sheep and even a dog in Texas and New Mexico. Ranchers and local officials are now questioning whether the response has been transparent, fast and strong enough to stop the outbreak before it spreads further.

But there is one uncomfortable point that cannot be ignored:

This parasite did not appear in the United States out of nowhere.
It moved north through Latin America, reached Mexico, and from there became a threat to the U.S. livestock industry.

That means Mexico failed to contain the problem with the level of care and urgency required. A pest this dangerous should have triggered maximum sanitary alerts, strict livestock controls, stronger border inspections, and an aggressive containment strategy from the first confirmed cases.

The screwworm is not just another insect. The female fly lays eggs in open wounds. When the larvae hatch, they burrow into living flesh, causing severe injury, infection, suffering and possible death in animals. For ranchers, this means economic losses, quarantines, trade restrictions and fear across the cattle industry.

Now the outbreak is putting pressure not only on U.S. authorities, but also on Mexico’s role in protecting animal health along the border.

Because when Mexico does not take enough care with a livestock disease or pest, the consequences do not stay in Mexico. They cross borders. They hit ranchers. They threaten food supply chains. They damage trade. And they create panic in communities that depend on agriculture and cattle.

The U.S. response is now under scrutiny, but the bigger question remains:

🔥 Why was this parasite allowed to move so far north?
🔥 Did Mexico underestimate the danger?
🔥 Were sanitary controls too weak, too late, or simply not enough?

This outbreak is a reminder that animal health is also national security. In a continent so connected by trade, migration, transportation and agriculture, one country’s lack of care can become another country’s emergency.

Mexico must answer clearly:
Was everything possible done to stop the screwworm before it reached the U.S. border?

Because today, the flesh-eating maggot is no longer just a Mexican problem.

It is now a North American crisis.