A temporary ban on livestock imports from Texas has been imposed by Canada’s food inspection agency due to a flesh-eating screwworm outbreak in the US state. The ban affects cows and horses that were in Texas within 21 days of crossing the border into Canada. This move comes after the US Department of Agriculture confirmed a second case of the parasite in a Texas calf.
The outbreak was first detected in a three-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas, with a second case found in a one-month-old calf in Zavala County. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster, citing the “imminent threat” the outbreak poses to the state’s agricultural industry. The New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds, which hatch into larvae that can kill their host if left untreated.
Screwworm Outbreak
The screwworm outbreak has been moving through Central America and Mexico, prompting heavy monitoring by US agricultural and health officials. The parasite is unlikely to become a problem in Canada due to the colder climate, but officials are warning farmers to monitor livestock for wounds and urging residents to check pets that travel to Texas. The US and Canada have a significant two-way cattle trade, with 550,000 cattle imported from the US in 2025.
The US Department of Agriculture has outlined a plan to release hundreds of millions of genetically altered sterile flies to halt the population growth, along with using sniffer dogs to identify the parasite in cattle. However, some experts question whether these tactics will be enough to halt the spread. The parasite was considered eradicated in the US in 1966, but there have been cases since, including an outbreak in the 1970s.
Implications and Next Steps
The ban on livestock imports from Texas is likely to have significant implications for the US cattle industry, which is a major player in the global market. The outbreak also highlights the need for continued monitoring and cooperation between US and Canadian agricultural officials to prevent the spread of the parasite. As the situation develops, officials will be closely watching the effectiveness of the measures in place to combat the outbreak.
The screwworm outbreak serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and cooperation in preventing the spread of diseases that can have devastating impacts on the agricultural industry and animal health. As the US and Canada work to contain the outbreak, the broader significance of this event lies in its potential to disrupt the delicate balance of the global food supply chain.
