Screwworm Outbreak Spreads to Mainland US, But Viral Hoax Falsely Claims Infected Meat Sold at Walmart
A startling viral rumor is making the rounds on social media, claiming that a massive screwworm outbreak has contaminated meat products sold at major retailers like Walmart, leading to hundreds of hospitalizations. The posts, which feature grainy photos of maggot-infested packages, have sparked widespread panic and calls for boycotts.
This is mostly fake. While real screwworm cases have been reported in livestock and pets across Florida and Texas due to a recent spread from the Caribbean, there is zero evidence of infected meat reaching grocery store shelves. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirms that screwworm infestations are strictly monitored in live animals and that all commercial meat undergoes rigorous inspection. The viral images are actually recycled from a 2019 hoax regarding a different pest.
What is real: The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is currently confirmed in the Florida Keys and parts of Texas, with officials deploying sterile insect techniques to curb the spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges pet owners to check wounds, but warns against the false alarm regarding food contamination. Don't be a victim of the meat scare—check the USDA database before sharing.