New World Screwworm
While USDA eradicated New World screwworm from the U.S. in 1966, there’s a constant risk of re-introduction. The parasitic fly larvae eat the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, such as cattle, causing serious, often deadly damage. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has warned it’s not a matter of if — but when — the pest makes its way back into the U.S.
Identifying the flesh-eating parasite, which actually isn’t a worm, is key to keeping it out of the U.S. Recognizing a problem in an animal might come down to seeing a larval infestation in unusual circumstances.
As the fight to keep the flesh-eating parasite out of the U.S. intensifies, the economic impact on ranchers and the industry is top of mind. “This pest will be one that leaves quite a mark on our economy,” says one veterinarian.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announces plans to reopen Moore Air Base in Texas as a New World screwworm sterile fly distribution facility. Long-term production is anticipated to be 300 million sterile flies per week.
NCBA applauds Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ aggressive efforts to suspend Mexican cattle, horse and bison imports, saying Mexico’s corruption and mismanagement has caused the pest to spread closer to the U.S.
Mexico has committed to eliminate restrictions on USDA aircraft and waive customs duties on eradication equipment aiding in the response to the spread of New World Screwworm (NWS).
USDA approves funding to bolster efforts to prevent further spread through surveillance, animal health checkpoints and domestic preparedness.
Two weeks after the pest was detected in a Mexican cow, U.S. officials remain focused on the health and wellness of U.S. livestock.
On Nov. 22, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Mexico notified USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of a positive detection of New World screwworm in Mexico.
U.S. and Mexican officials are working together on pre-export inspection protocols before resuming live cattle imports into the U.S. The use of sterile flies is also a priority to help control the spread of NWS in Mexico.