Federal and state authorities confirmed the first known infestation of New World screwworm in wildlife in the United States when a female elk killed by hunters on a game ranch in Pecos County, Texas tested positive for the flesh-eating parasite.
U.S. Department of AgricultureConfirmed the screwworm infestation in the elk
Alan CainWildlife Division Director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentState wildlife agency overseeing response
The facts
Screwworm confirmed in a female elk killed by hunters on a game ranch in Pecos County.12Stated by 2 sources
This is the first known screwworm infestation in wildlife in the United States since the parasite reemerged this year.2
As of October 21, there have been 59 animal cases of New World screwworm detected in Texas and New Mexico.2
Seven new screwworm cases were reported in October, the most since July.2
In June, screwworm was identified in livestock—a three-week-old Texas calf.1
Screwworm larvae devour living flesh of warm-blooded animals after eggs hatch on open wounds.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Alan Cain, Wildlife Division Director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department All hunters and landowners should be vigilant for signs of screwworm while in the field.2
U.S. Department of Agriculture The screwworm pest does not pose food-safety risks but could threaten to disrupt meat production.1
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Flesh-Eating Screwworm Parasite Outbreak Takes Grim Turn After First Wildlife Case Detected in U.S.
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General; Gilead Sciences Inc., pharmaceutical company defendant
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Texas Workforce Commission, administers child care subsidy program; announced cost increase and cut enrollment; James Talarico, state representative who led House Bill 2607 through the House; now running as Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General; Republican candidate for U.S. Senate and 3 more
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced that a New World screwworm parasite was detected in a female elk harvested by a hunter in Pecos County, the first confirmed wildlife infestation during the current outbreak. A New Mexico beef cow in Otero County also tested positive for screwworm on the same day. Screwworm cases in the United States have reached 59 since June.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, announced screwworm detection in elk; Texas Animal Health Commission, to modify infested zone in Pecos County; New Mexico Department of Agriculture, confirmed screwworm case in beef cow and 2 more
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health Secretary; Tom Engels, Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator; JPS Health Network, public hospital system where announcement was made
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, insurer ceasing Medicare Advantage offerings