JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State and federal officials are preparing for the possible return of the New World screwworm fly, a parasitic insect whose flesh-eating larvae were eradicated from the United States decades ago but are now advancing north through Mexico.
Since late November, at least 10 new screwworm cases have been confirmed within roughly 400 miles of the U.S. border, raising concern among animal health experts that the fly could reach the southern United States within the next one to two years. Missouri officials say the state could see isolated cases if the parasite breaches containment.
The screwworm fly lays eggs in open wounds, where larvae feed on living tissue, posing a serious threat to livestock, pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, humans. State Veterinarian Steve Strubberg said cold weather can slow or halt the insect’s spread, noting that temperatures below 48 degrees Fahrenheit stop larval development.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched a five-part response plan that includes $29.5 million in investments to expand sterile fly production facilities in Mexico and Texas. The sterile insect technique, which helped eradicate screwworm in the U.S. in the 1960s, works by reducing reproduction through controlled mating.
If the fly enters the United States, federal estimates suggest the Texas economy alone could face losses exceeding $1.8 billion in a single year, with cattle producers absorbing the majority of the impact. Missouri agencies are coordinating with federal partners to improve detection and response readiness.
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