Texas Intercepts Dangerous Fungus Smuggled from China

The Texas Department of Agriculture has issued a warning to all residents about a dangerous fungus that was intercepted while being smuggled into the state from China.

This fungus, Fusarium graminearum, eerily nicknamed "head blight" or "scab", can cause nausea, vomiting, and issues with the immune system in humans. Head blight is a pathogen that attacks crops like corn, wheat, barley, and others. It can also lead to major economic loss to livestock producers across the country if left unchecked.

Luckily, Ag Commissioner Sid Miller assures us that this fungus has been fully contained, thanks to the fast response from producers and state authorities.

Some officials are concerned that this is part of a larger effort to introduce a new bioweapon to the U.S. food supply, because the smuggling attempt was from three Chinese citizens, one of whom was a member of the Chinese Communist Party.

However, this is only a theory and is not yet confirmed.

Commissioner Miller also provided some signs to look for in case you feel your food or crop is infected by head blight:

• Bleached wheat or barley spikelets
• Pink fungal growth on the base of infected kernels when moistened
• Shriveled or chalky grains (AKA "tombstone" kernels)
• Dark brown discoloration on the stem that could lead to plant infection
• Mycotoxins present that can affect grain safety and marketability

If any producer suspects that their crop might be infected with head blight, they are encouraged to call the Texas Department of Agriculture at 1(800) TELL-TDA (8355-832).