WASHINGTON, June 6 — The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Friday it has detected a second case of a dangerous livestock pest whose flesh-eating larvae can kill cattle.
The new incidence of so-called New World screwworm (NWS) was detected in a calf in south Texas about 5.5 miles (10 km) from the first one, which was reported Thursday, the department said on X.
The outbreak has triggered a race to keep the pest from spreading.
The NWS fly was thought to be eradicated in the United States in 1966. But Florida experienced an outbreak in 2016 that primarily impacted deer and was eliminated the following year, according to the department.
The fly has remained present in South America, and in recent years has moved northward.
The first of these new cases, detected near the border with Mexico, has triggered alarm among ranchers, in particular those who raise cattle.
The flies lay their eggs in open wounds or mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals, where they hatch into larvae and feed on flesh. Left untreated, the infestation can be deadly, and the parasites can quickly spread.
The pest can also affect wild animals, pets and even people.
Texas has established a 12-mile (20-kilometre) quarantine zone, meaning all warm-blooded animals including pets must be inspected before leaving the zone.
The fly had been eradicated in the US thanks in large part by dropping millions of sterile flies to mate with wild females.
US officials said some four million sterile flies are now being released weekly from the sky, and that some four million more in the pupae stage were being deployed in ground release chambers.
A USDA study last year estimated a screwworm resurgence in Texas could cost the state’s economy US$1.8 billion (RM7.25 billion). — AFP
KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm warning covering several states, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds expected until late this afternoon.
In a Facebook post at 2pm today, MetMalaysia said the weather system is expected to affect Perlis; Kedah (Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena and Padang Terap); Perak (Kuala Kangsar and Kinta); Kelantan (Jeli and Kuala Krai); Terengganu (Marang, Dungun and Kemaman); and Pahang (Cameron Highlands, Jerantut, Bentong and Kuantan).
It also said similar conditions are expected in Sarawak, covering Sibu (Selangau), Bintulu, Miri (Subis, Beluru, Miri and Marudi) and Limbang, as well as Sabah, including the Interior (Kuala Penyu, Beaufort and Tambunan), West Coast, Sandakan (Kinabatangan, Beluran and Sandakan) and Kudat.
The Federal Territory of Labuan is also expected to be affected.
MetMalaysia said the alert remains in place until 5pm today.
It added that thunderstorms warnings are issued when there are signs of intense rainfall exceeding 20 mm per hour which are expected to persist for more than an hour, and are short-term alerts valid for up to six hours for each issuance.
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