What to know about the New World screwworm fly, now in US
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- The New World screwworm fly, whose larvae eat live flesh, has been confirmed in south Texas for the first time since 1966, threatening the $113 billion U.S. cattle industry, particularly in Texas which has $17 billion worth of cattle.
- The fly lays eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals, and even small injuries like tick bites can lead to infestation, causing severe pain or death if untreated.
- Officials have imposed a 12-mile quarantine zone in Zavala and Uvalde counties, restricting animal movement to prevent spread, while millions of sterile male flies are being released to control the population.
- The USDA has invested in new breeding facilities in Mexico and Texas to produce sterile flies, using a proven method that eradicated the pest decades ago by preventing females from producing viable eggs.
- Climate change and warmer temperatures are contributing to the fly's northward spread, complicating containment efforts, and officials remain vigilant to prevent further infestations among livestock and wildlife.