The government cut funding for the New World screwworm monitoring program and then reportedly ignored ranchers warning the parasite was working its way to the U.S.

A widespread screwworm outbreak in Texas could cause $1.8 billion in economic losses, according to the USDA.

The government cut funding for the New World screwworm monitoring program and then reportedly ignored ranchers warning the parasite was working its way to the U.S.

The flesh-eating larvae has threatened the nation's cattle industry

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said USDA officials detected a screwworm on a three-week-old calf in Texas, near the Mexican border.