Screwworm comeback puts US beef industry on alert

A flesh-eating parasite once eradicated in the US is back: the New World Screwworm. The fly larvae infest wounds in livestock, causing severe damage and costly losses for farmers.

After spreading from Central America through Mexico, cases have now been confirmed in the US.

Authorities are racing to contain the outbreak using sterile flies, but limited resources pose challenges.

While human risk and beef prices remain low for now, experts warn the fight could be long and expensive.