Authorities in the United States have confirmed three additional cases of the New World screwworm, raising fresh concerns about the spread of the flesh-eating parasite and its potential impact on livestock and agriculture.

The latest infestations were discovered in a calf in La Salle County and a goat in Gillespie County. Officials also clarified that a previously reported Texas case involving a dog was actually linked to Lea County, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to five.

The parasite, absent from the United States for roughly six decades, poses a major threat because its larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pets, wildlife, and in rare instances, humans.

Agricultural authorities and ranchers are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak as the pest continues its northward movement from Mexico. Experts warn that a large-scale infestation could inflict severe economic damage on the livestock industry, with estimates suggesting losses of up to $1.8 billion in Texas alone.

Officials from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said investigations remain ongoing as they monitor the evolving situation and assess the risk of further spread.

Meanwhile, Brooke Rollins announced that funding from a $100 million federal programme will soon be released to support new technologies and measures aimed at controlling the parasite. She also pledged continued federal support for affected communities and livestock producers.

Despite government assurances, some ranchers have expressed concerns about whether current resources and preparedness levels are sufficient to stop the outbreak before it expands further.

The emergence of additional cases has heightened urgency among agricultural authorities, who are working to prevent the return of a pest that once caused widespread losses before being eradicated from the country decades ago.