COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - Cattle farmers in Texas are sounding the alarm over an agricultural pest inching its way toward the U.S., the New World screwworm. One Bryan rancher says the screwworm could have devastating impacts on the meat industry if it reaches the state.

The fly infects living mammals including livestock, pets, and humans. Untreated, it can lead to death. The U.S. previously eradicated the New World screwworm in the 1960s.

According to Texas A&M Agrilife officials , farmers in the U.S. have not treated livestock for New World screwworms in more than 40 years.

The risk of its spread to Texas from Mexico caught the attention of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

She said the new World screwworm, ”Is a scourge that is making its way from Latin America up

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