The United States-Mexico border was closed for the importation of Mexican cattle after a cow was detected with screwworm in southern Mexico on November 22nd. However, a USDA veterinary official says the situation has not worsened and the U.S. and Mexico are continuing to work together on the situation.
That is Dr. Burke Healey with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service who says that the United States and Mexico are working hand in hand towards screening animals to make sure they are free of screwworm.
New livestock inspection sites are being implemented along with other protocols being enacted to eradicate screwworm from Mexico. Healey says the most likely earliest timeframe for the reopening of the border to allow Mexican cattle into the U.S. will be late December 2024.
Healey says the single case of screwworm found on November 22nd is the only detection as of Wednesday November 27th.
