NM U.S. Reps. Vasquez, Leger Fernández introduce New World screwworm legislation • Source New Mexico
Infected Lea County dog, state’s first case, going home today, state veterinarian says
A closeup of a New World screwworm adult fly. (Photo by USDA)
Following last week’s discovery of New Mexico’s first New World screwworm case, members of the state’s congressional delegation on Thursday announced legislation intended to curtail the spread of the parasitic fly.
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, a Democrat who represents the state’s southern 2nd Congressional District, announced the Protecting America’s Herds Act during an Albuquerque news conference with co-sponsor and fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, who represents the 3rd Congressional District, surrounded by a bevy of agricultural, livestock and wildlife officials.
New Mexico agriculture officials on June 8 reported the state’s first case of New World screwworm, detected in a Lea County dog, just days after the first U.S. incursion of the devastating parasitic fly in a south Texas calf. State livestock officials the following…