{"aiVersion":"1","content":{"id":"cmq5xr9na0004bjj7t6e2avwc","slug":"screwworm-reappears-in-u-s-what-happened-and-how-o-20260609","title":"Screwworm Reappears in U.S.: What Happened and How Officials Respond","level":"EASY","publishedAt":"2026-06-09T01:03:01.076Z"},"topic":{"slug":"screwworm-reappears-in-u-s-what-happened-and-how-o-20260609","category":"business"},"article":{"paragraphs":["On June 3, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed New World screwworm in a calf in Zavala County, Texas. Screwworm larvae are maggots that burrow into and eat living flesh. They can cause painful, smelly wounds and serious harm to animals.","By June 8, officials had confirmed five animal cases in the United States: three calves, a goat and a dog in New Mexico. The USDA set a 12-mile (20-kilometer) quarantine zone and began releasing sterile flies to stop more infections. No locally acquired human cases have been reported. If you see wounds that do not heal or maggots, contact a veterinarian or doctor right away."],"wordCount":108,"readTime":2},"vocabulary":[{"word":"screwworm","example":"The farmer found screwworm larvae in the calf's wound.","phonetic":"/ˈskruː.wɝm/","definition":"a fly whose larvae eat living flesh"},{"word":"maggot","example":"There were maggots in the old wound.","phonetic":"/ˈmæɡət/","definition":"a fly larva, a small worm-like insect"},{"word":"quarantine","example":"The animals stayed inside the quarantine zone.","phonetic":"/ˈkwɔːr.ən.tiːn/","definition":"a controlled area to stop disease from spreading"}],"quiz":[{"answer":"June 3, 2026","question":"When did the USDA confirm the screwworm case?"},{"answer":"Zavala County, Texas","question":"Where was the infected calf found?"},{"answer":"five animal cases","question":"How many animal cases had officials confirmed by June 8?"}],"discussion":[{"question":"Do you have pets or farm animals? How would you check them for wounds?"},{"question":"Have you ever seen an animal with a bad wound? What happened?"},{"question":"Do you feel worried when you hear about animal diseases? Why or why not?"}]}