A brief but alarming online report claiming that the New World screwworm (NWS) had reached Missouri sent shockwaves through the U.S. cattle industry, briefly crashing futures markets and sparking a multiagency investigation. Authorities are now racing to uncover the origin of the false information, which left ranchers on edge and resulted in direct financial losses.

On May 27, radio station KTTN in Trenton, Missouri, published a story stating that the flesh-eating screwworm had entered the state. Although the post was deleted within five minutes, the damage was already done.

"Our phones were ringing nonstop," said Chris Chinn, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA). "We immediately contacted the state veterinarian and USDA to verify the claim-it was false. But producers were already panicking."

Immediate Financial Impact

The false alarm triggered a rapid market reaction, with cattle futures experiencing a swing of up to $10 per head, amounting to an estimated $250,000 to $500,000 in total losses. Producers who had been holding cattle in anticipation of better market conditions were hit hardest.

KTTN issued a public retraction the following day, admitting the article was based on a press release "containing unverified statements." Still, the rumor had already spread to multiple states.

Ongoing Multiagency Investigation

In response to the financial ripple effect, MDA launched an investigation alongside the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Rural Crimes Investigative Unit (RCIU), the Livestock and Farm Protection Task Force, and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey's office.

"We're determined to identify the source and hold those responsible accountable," Chinn said. "This incident not only hurt producers financially-it also eroded trust in reliable ag news."

Nationwide Screwworm Prevention Efforts

While NWS has been eradicated in the U.S. for decades, recent detections in Mexico-just 700 miles from the U.S. border-have prompted federal action. On June 18, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced an $8.5 million investment in a new sterile fly dispersal facility in Texas. The site will generate 60 to 100 million sterile flies weekly, supplementing the 100 million already produced in Panama.

"We have the tools, partnerships, and grit to keep NWS out of the U.S.," Rollins said.

Livestock Producer Guidelines

Though NWS is not currently present in the U.S., the USDA advises producers to stay alert for signs such as:

Unusual irritation or head-shaking

Foul odor or signs of decay near wounds

Visible maggots (myiasis) in animals

The agency also recommends inspecting vehicles after travel to NWS-infected areas and screening pets returning from abroad. Any suspicious cases should be immediately reported to state animal health officials or APHIS. Chinn further advises working with local veterinarians to establish a treatment plan.

This episode underscores the importance of verifying sources before sharing agricultural alerts. Trust in ag institutions and media remains as vital as the health of the herds they serve.