Flesh-eating parasite forces Canada to ban Texas livestock Canada has temporarily banned imports of livestock from Texas due to an outbreak of the screwworm fly, a potentially deadly parasite. The first case was identified in Texas near the Mexican border, leading Texas officials to declare a state of disaster. Texas Governor Greg Abbott criticized Canada’s ban as an “overreaction” and “more political than science-based,” stating it does not impact inspected Texas beef.

• Canada has temporarily banned livestock imports from Texas due to an outbreak of the screwworm fly.
• The first case of the parasite was detected in Texas near the Mexican border, with a second case confirmed shortly after.
• Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster but called Canada’s import ban an “overreaction.”
• The screwworm fly lays eggs in animal wounds, and the resulting maggots feed on living flesh.
• The parasite was previously eradicated in the US in 1966, with its resurgence attributed to changing weather and warmer temperatures.