Officials Address New World Screwworm Outbreak in the U.S.

The New World screwworm has reappeared in the United States, prompting officials to investigate its return decades after it was declared eradicated. Authorities are debating the cause of the outbreak, which threatens the livestock industry in Texas and surrounding areas. The Trump administration has attributed the screwworm's resurgence to the Biden administration's immigration policies, while Democrats have pointed to previous cuts made during the Trump administration that they argue left the country vulnerable. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins defended the Trump administration's efforts, stating that they helped delay the outbreak's arrival. The Texas Animal Health Commission indicated that various factors contributed to the spread, including animal movements. The USDA and Texas officials have emphasized the need for more sterile fly production facilities to combat the outbreak effectively. Currently, eight cases have been confirmed in Texas and one in New Mexico. The New World screwworm poses a significant threat to livestock, as its larvae feed on living tissue. The U.S. previously eradicated the pest using a sterile fly technique, but closures of production facilities have hindered ongoing prevention efforts. The USDA is now looking to invest in expanding sterile fly production to address the current outbreak and prevent future occurrences.