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.
An individual who had traveled to the U.S. from El Salvador has been confirmed with NWS.
HHS allows FDA emergency use of animal drugs to combat New World screwworm.
A critical line of defense, this mounted patrol is taking on new endeavors to keep NWS out of the country.
The Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT) has rolled out resources and scouting kits to arm ranchers for early detection.
The next step to battling NWS is using swormlure, a synthetic bait designed to attract adult screwworm flies, combined with an insecticide to combat the pest.
The image, the smell, the emotions: five cattle producers and veterinarians from around the world share their first-hand experience with New World screwworm.
Secretary Rollins takes decisive action and shuts down cattle, bison and equine trade due to further northward spread of the devastating pest in Mexico.
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.
Following a New World screwworm assessment by USDA staff in Mexico and ongoing conversations between Secretary Rollins and the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture, USDA will start reopening the ports for cattle, bison and equine.
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’s Woodall says the goal is complete eradication — not just from the U.S., but from Mexico and Central America, ultimately pushing the fly back to its original range in South America.
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).
Mexico has until April 30 to follow protocol to stop the spread of the pest and eliminate current restrictions slowing eradication.
APHIS emphasizes new protocols in place to monitor for the pest before cattle enter the U.S.
The pest can travel on humans, vehicles, pets, livestock and even on some wildlife species — all of which increase the likelihood it could eventually enter our country.
NCBA Policy director urges cattle producers to be diligent and watch for New World screwworm flies.
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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.
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.
New World Screwworm is a serious veterinary pest that can cause severe damage to livestock and wildlife populations. The detection of New World Screwworm in Mexico and the subsequent USDA actions may have significant implications on trade and travel.