A possible case of New World screwworm has been reported in South Texas, prompting the USDA to activate ground personnel and confirm the diagnosis. If confirmed, it would mark the first time these ravenous flies have breached the US-Mexico border after years of inching closer.

The USDA posted on social media that a sample is being sent for testing at their facilities in Iowa. Despite this, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has disputed claims that the fly is already inside the US, while state Rep. Don McLaughlin claimed to have evidence just one mile from the border, which was denied.

The New World screwworm poses a significant threat to livestock, with females laying hundreds of eggs in wounds and openings of warm-blooded creatures. These larvae then feast on living tissue, causing deep, festering injuries that can be life-threatening. The fly was eradicated in the US decades ago but has reappeared in Central America, leading to concerns about its spread.

According to the USDA, keeping screwworms out of the country has saved the livestock industry $900 million annually. With recent detections just 39 miles from the border in Mexico, biosecurity measures are now under intense scrutiny. The race is on to prevent these flesh-eating flies from establishing a foothold in the US.