Imports from Mexico Halted After Flesh-Eating Parasite Found in Livestock

Due to an outbreak of flesh-eating maggots, the United States has suspended imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico to protect the livestock industry. Recent detections have been made in the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz, approximately 700 miles from the U.S. border.

The New World screwworm, scientifically known as Cochliomyia hominivorax, lays eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals. Upon hatching, the larvae feed on the host's living tissue, leading to severe infections that can be fatal if untreated.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the situation's urgency, stating, "The protection of our animals and safety of our nation's food supply is a national security issue of the utmost importance." She clarified that the suspension is not politically motivated but is a necessary measure to ensure food and animal safety.

This isn't the first time the U.S. has faced the threat of the screwworm. The parasite was eradicated from the country in the 1960s through a collaborative effort with Mexico, which involved releasing sterile flies to disrupt the breeding cycle. However, the recent resurgence has raised alarms, especially after Mexico reported its first human case in decades—a 77-year-old woman in Chiapas diagnosed in April.

Mexico has expressed disagreement with the U.S. decision. President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the suspension as "unfair," highlighting Mexico's commitment to collaborating with the U.S. in combating the pest. Mexican Agriculture Minister Dr. Julio Berdegué noted that the suspension is expected to last 15 days, contrasting with the USDA's month-by-month review plan.

Sheinbaum echoed Berdegué's statement and said that "Minister Berdegué has already spoken with [Rollins] and proposed that it would only last 15 days to keep working, and we hope that this measure, which we consider unfair, will be lifted very soon."

The economic implications are significant. In 2023, the U.S. imported approximately 1.25 million head of cattle from Mexico, accounting for about 3.7% of the U.S. calf crop. The suspension could disrupt beef production and affect prices, adding pressure to an industry already grappling with herd declines.

Efforts to contain the outbreak are underway. The USDA, in collaboration with Mexican authorities, is enhancing surveillance, controlling livestock movements, and deploying sterile fly releases to curb reproduction rates. Livestock at ports will undergo thorough inspections and treatments to prevent the parasite's entry into the U.S.