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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Guardian staff and agency

Officials confirm flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite found in US wildlife

Two pinned screwworm fly specimens with iridescent wings face each other under a microscope light
A New World screwworm and other botfly specimens under the microscope at a lab in Kerrville, Texas. Photograph: Kaylee Greenlee/Reuters

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Wednesday it had ⁠confirmed the ⁠first detection ​of flesh-eating parasite the New World screwworm in US wildlife in an ⁠elk in Pecos county, Texas.

The elk was located on a game ⁠ranch and was reported after being harvested by ​a hunter, the ‌USDA said ‌in a statement.

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