How history is guiding a U.S. attempt to beat screwworm again

Key Points:

• The New World screwworm has re-entered the U.S., raising concerns due to its history of causing devastating livestock losses and economic damage, with previous eradication efforts saving the industry over $900 million annually.
• The screwworm was initially eradicated through the Sterile Insect Technique, developed by scientists Edward F. Knipling and Raymond Bushland, which involved releasing sterilized flies to prevent reproduction and spread.
• Despite successful eradication by 1982, outbreaks recurred due to factors like lax quarantine and environmental conditions, leading to significant economic losses, including nearly $330 million in Texas in 1976 (equivalent to $1.8 billion today).
• A joint U.S.-Mexico Screwworm Eradication Commission was established in the late 1970s to coordinate efforts, resulting in northern Mexico being declared screwworm-free by 1980 and the U.S. reporting its last case in 1982 until the recent resurgence.
• Experts emphasize that large-scale, preventative measures are essential for controlling screwworm outbreaks, as farm-by-farm control efforts have proven ineffective historically.