Flesh-eating screwworm detected, US stops imports of Mexican cattle

(NewsNation) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would be suspending all cattle, horse, and bison imports from Mexico after a flesh-eating parasite known as a screwworm was detected.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says a potential outbreak is a national security issue, and it could devastate livestock if it crosses into the U.S. The screwworm was found in Veracruz and Oaxaca, which is just 700 miles from the U.S.

According to the USDA, New World screwworms are deadly flies that lay eggs in open wounds.