Farm workers face high risk in US south-west screwworm outbreak
6 reported
A single-source report from The Guardian indicates that agricultural workers in the US south-west are at elevated risk for human infection during the ongoing New World screwworm outbreak, though no human cases have been reported. The article states that screwworm has been detected in goats and sheep across three Texas counties, bringing the total known animal cases to 16. Farm workers face barriers to healthcare, including long hours, remote living, lack of insurance, language barriers, and fear of immigration enforcement. The main risk is to the livestock industry, valued at $347.7bn, and the article notes that the parasitic fly was eradicated from the US four decades ago but has returned. Industry groups are informing members about warning signs and urging precautions such as postponing elective procedures on animals and using antiparasitic medications. The US Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency use authorizations for animal antiparasitic drugs, but no specific human treatments exist beyond manual extraction and off-label medications.
What’s reported
Screwworm has been detected in goats and sheep in three Texas counties, with 16 known animal cases and no human cases reported.
Agricultural workers are at highest risk for human infection but face barriers to healthcare, including long hours, remote living, lack of insurance, language barriers, and fear of immigration enforcement.
The main risk is to the $347.7bn meat and poultry industry; the fly was eradicated from the US four decades ago.
The FDA has issued emergency use authorizations for animal antiparasitic medications, with manufacturers ramping up production.
No specific human treatments exist beyond manual extraction and off-label antiparasitic medications.
About 84% of clinicians working with immigrant populations reported very serious delays in patients seeking healthcare since a January 2025 immigration order.
Key figures
Rebekah Stewart, clinical educator and care coordinator with the Migrant Clinicians Network and family nurse practitioner
Tom Paterson, president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association and cattle rancher in Catron county, New Mexico
Sources: The Guardian
