Texas ranchers remain on alert as flesh-eating flies, which brought horror 50 years ago, may return. This parasite lays its eggs in the living body of animals, and the larvae begin to eat the flesh from the inside. As a result, huge wounds appear on the animal’s body, and if untreated, it dies in agony.
Experts warn that if this insect enters Texas territory, the economic damage could reach $1.8 billion. The most terrifying part is that the larvae can infest not only livestock, but also dogs, cats, and even humans. The smell of rotting meat spreading through villages leaves no peace of mind.
The U.S. government has suspended cattle imports from Mexico and is building a new factory to produce infertile flies to fight the parasite. However, this plant has not yet been launched, and the existing production capacity is not enough to contain the threat. That means the pest’s crossing of the border is only a matter of time.
Texas ranchers are meanwhile preparing: stockpiling chemical products and developing emergency plans. But the main problem is the lack of skilled labor. Every single animal must be inspected daily, otherwise even a small wound can become infested with thousands of worms and wipe out the entire herd.
Experts call this “one of the greatest biological disasters.” If measures are taken too late, the flies could spread beyond livestock, engulfing the entire ecosystem and consuming even wild animals alive. Texas ranchers wait in fear: half a century later, the historic horror may return.
Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
