USDA Responds to New World Screwworm (NWS) Detection Near U.S.-Mexico Border
Following the recent detection of New World Screwworm just 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is ramping up efforts to prevent the pest’s entry into the United States. Lauren Stump, USDA’s Deputy Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, provided a detailed update on current eradication strategies and interagency coordination.
“We have boots on the ground in Mexico determining exactly what happened there. In being partners with them in eradication to protect the U.S. southern border, we have to enhance that U.S. oversight and surveillance.”
The USDA is actively working with Mexican authorities to track, trap, and limit animal movement that could lead to further spread of the pest. Increased surveillance and monitoring are key to containment.
“We’ve got to get better case reporting, lock down that animal movement that’s happening in Mexico to prevent further spread, providing traps and lures for screwworms so we really have an accurate assessment of where the pest is. We’re doing proactive trapping in areas where we know it is not yet.”
Stump emphasized that the USDA is preparing contingency plans in case the screwworm crosses into the U.S., highlighting the need for cooperation across multiple federal agencies.
“When you’re thinking about this pest, there are different pesticides that are regulated by EPA that would need to be utilized. There are also drugs that are effective in treatment against the screw worm. Those are regulated by FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.”
Preparation is underway to ensure rapid deployment of control tools if a domestic outbreak occurs. That includes coordination with state officials, industry stakeholders, and public awareness initiatives.
“We are working hand in hand with a number of different agencies to make sure that we are prepared if there were to be a domestic incursion, that the tools that we would need to have in our toolbox are already ready to go. The partnerships with the states, our industry partners and the public as well.”
The USDA continues to monitor the situation closely, reinforcing the importance of early detection and cross-border cooperation in keeping U.S. livestock safe from this dangerous pest.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.