U.S. suspends import of live cattle from Mexico through screw pest pests

The U.S. will suspend imports of cattle through ports along the ports along the southern border of Mexico for at least two weeks to review a joint strategy to fight screwworms, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Sunday.

Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement ScrewwormThis is a potentially fatal parasite that was recently discovered in remote farms in the Ohacai nuclear and Veracruz about 700 miles from the U.S. border.

"Protecting our animals and the food supply to our nation is the most important national security issue," she said in a statement. "Once we see increased surveillance and elimination efforts, and the positive outcomes of these actions, we will continue to work to open borders for livestock trade. This has nothing to do with Mexico's politics or punishment, but about food and animal safety."

Mexico's Minister of Agriculture Julio Berdegué said on social media that he had spoken with Rollins, who had informed the decision.

"We do not agree with this measure, but we are confident that we will reach an agreement as soon as possible," Bedger said.

What is a screwworm?

Screwworms are larvae of homosexuals that can invade tissues of any warm-blooded animal, including humans. Parasites enter the animal's skin, causing serious damage and potentially fatal lesions.

The United States stops importing Mexican cattle due to the presence of screwworms — The cattle were detained in the pen of the Chihuahua Regional Livestock Alliance at the crossing point of Jeronimo-Santa Teresa, Juarez, Mexico. Christian Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images

The Mexican Ministry of Health issued an epidemiological alert this month after the first human screwworm case occurred this month, the Mexican Ministry of Health confirmed on April 17 in southern Chiapas. Also this year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issued a warning in January to warn animals that could be affected by dangers "Maneater" parasite.

The U.S. restricted the transport of Mexican cattle after pests were found, but lifted the ban in February after assessing animals before entering the country.

But there is an "unacceptable northward advancement" to the northward north of the screwworm, the USDA said in a statement Sunday.

"Other actions must be taken to slow the northern progress of this deadly parasitic fly," the statement added.

The department said that over the past two years, screwworms have spread northward throughout the Panama region to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and now Mexico.