Mexico confirms case of New World screwworm in northern state, USDA says

Mexico’s Nationwide Service of Agro-Alimentary Well being, Security, and High quality on Sunday confirmed a brand new case of New World screwworm in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, lower than 70 miles (113 km) from the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. Division of Agriculture mentioned.

Why it issues: The closure of the U.S. border to Mexican cattle because of screwworm fears has constricted already tight cattle provides, pushing Chicago cattle futures to document highs.

“USDA is analyzing all new info associated to the current case in Nuevo Leon and can pursue all choices to launch sterile flies on this area as essential,” USDA mentioned.

A spokesperson for Mexico’s agriculture ministry didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

The flesh-eating screwworm parasite has moved northward by way of Central America and southern Mexico, placing the U.S. cattle trade on excessive alert.

The outbreak has prompted the U.S. authorities to maintain its border mostly closed to Mexican cattle imports since Could.

A human case of screwworm within the U.S. reported in August posed no danger to the farm sector, a U.S. Division of Agriculture official mentioned on the time.

—Reporting by Anmol Choubey; extra reporting by Cassandra Garrison in Mexico Metropolis.