Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson said recently that the detection of the New World screwworm (NWS) in cattle in Texas poses no threat to food safety.
“The New World screwworm is an invasive pest, not an infectious disease. This is an animal health issue, not a food safety issue. Our meat supply is safe to eat,” Gipson noted. “USDA is taking immediate action to contain and eradicate the NWS. We are closely monitoring the situation and staying in close contact with our partners at USDA and the Mississippi Board of Animal Health.”
As of Tuesday, June 16, a U.S. Department of Agriculture website showed a total of 12 cases of NWS infection have been detected in the U.S. in the last month — 11 in cattle, goats and sheep in central Texas, and one in a dog in New Mexico.
