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News Brief

June 10, 2025 |  By: Gavin McGough

Investigation into false press release from the Missouri Department of Agriculture is underway

Secondary screwworm

Judy Gallagher /  Wikimedia Creative Commons

The State of Missouri is investigating misinformation around New World Screwworm in the State. A late May Press release from the Missouri Department of Agriculture reported cases of Screwworm had been found in the state's cattle population. It appears that press release was false, and the Department of Ag is now searching for the source of the misinformation.

Screwworm are a parasitic fly which cause grave illness and death in cattle and other animals. The US Department of Agriculture eliminated the fly from the US in the 1960s, but ranchers have long feared their return. For years, the bug caused farmers distress and financial loss. Screwworm have persisted din Panama and Costa Rica, but recent cases pushing northward into Mexico have put the USDA on alert.

The appearance of Screwworm in Missouri would be a serious cause for concern. Cattle are the state's second largest agricultural product, and the state is one the biggest producers of beef in the country. The Highway Patrol's Rural Crimes Unit is leading the investigation into the false claims.