Unconfirmed US case of flesh-eating screwworm rattles cattle markets, traders say

• Texas Animal Health Commission confirms no verified case of New World screwworm in Texas yet, pending lab test results from Iowa
• Unverified photos of suspected cases circulated among livestock producers, causing volatility in cattle futures markets
• USDA confirmed a screwworm case 25 miles south of Texas border in Mexico on Tuesday, raising concerns about potential spread to U.S. cattle operations

Summary: Suspected Screwworm Case Impacts Cattle Markets

Key Development:

Samples from a suspected flesh-eating screwworm infestation on a cattle ranch in La Pryor, Texas have been sent to a federal laboratory in Iowa for testing. The samples were collected from two calves on Tuesday, June 2, according to Texas Representative Don McLaughlin.

Market Impact:

Photos of the suspected case circulated among livestock producers on Wednesday, rattling cattle futures markets. However, the case remains unconfirmed, and Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the images.

Official Response:

The Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed Wednesday that no case of New World screwworm has been officially confirmed in Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), leading the prevention effort, did not immediately comment on the suspected Texas case.

Conflicting Information:

Earlier in the week, the USDA stated that Rep. McLaughlin had provided inaccurate information when he claimed a confirmed case existed one mile south of the Texas border. The USDA did confirm a screwworm case 25 miles south of the border in Coahuila state, Mexico, on Tuesday.

Significance:

The flesh-eating screwworm parasite poses serious threats to livestock, explaining the market's nervous reaction to even unconfirmed reports. The situation highlights tensions between local officials and federal agencies regarding information accuracy during potential agricultural health crises.

Status:

As of Wednesday, June 3, the case remains under investigation pending laboratory results from Iowa, with no official confirmation of screwworm presence in Texas cattle.