Cattle From Mexico Banned Entering The United States Due to Deadly Flesh-Eating Parasite

A deadly parasite is being blamed for a halt in cattle imports from Mexico into the United States. The ban on imported cattle could push beef prices higher, but making sure the parasite stays out of the United States is important.

The screwworm fly is what authorities, ranchers, and everyone else in the cattle business is worried about. According to KXXV.com, the fly is attracted to scratches and open wounds on cattle. The fly will land and lay larvae, sometimes hundreds and they will burrow into the cattle, eating the flesh until the cow dies. The screwworm can have a huge, devastating impact on cattle, and that is why a ban is now in place.

The screwworm was first announced in Mexico in November and both nations have been doing what they can to keep the parasite from spreading.

According to KXXV, Blayr Barnard of Barnard Beef and Cattle says she expects consumers will be impacted soon at the grocery store when beef prices increase. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has also warned Texas residents about the screwworm.

The Department of Agriculture is urging producers along the southern border to monitor their livestock and pets for signs of the screwworm. One thing no one wants to see is a spread of the screwworm in U.S. beef.