USDA Responds Swiftly to New World Screwworm Detection in Mexico
A new case of New World Screwworm (NWS) has been confirmed in Mexico, roughly 170 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, according to an official announcement from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.
“In a post on X, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that another case of New World Screwworm has been detected in Mexico earlier this week. The detection was observed 170 miles from the US/Mexico border.”
Secretary Rollins addressed public concern by providing early reassurances and outlining the USDA’s immediate response efforts.
“Secretary Rollins said, ‘At this time, we believe this to be an isolated incident and it is approximately 100 miles further south of the last detected case. We will have boots on the ground within hours to independently verify the situation. Our top priority is protecting American livestock and food production. This is a top national security priorotiey and under the President’s leadership, USDA is fully executing our 5-point plan to keep NWS out of the United States.'”
This newly detected case is farther south than the previous one, but the USDA isn’t taking any chances. As with the last border threat, they are deploying a containment strategy that includes surveillance, trapping, and the release of sterile flies to stop the screwworm’s spread.
“As we did when the last New World Screwworm case occurred in Mexico close to the U.S. border, USDA staff will begin trapping, surveilling, and dropping sterile flies in this area in Mexico.”
Rollins also praised the resilience and dedication of USDA personnel, who are continuing their essential work despite the current Democrat-led government shutdown.
“Despite the Democrat Shutdown, the intrepid men and women at the USDA continue to work around the clock to protect our great nation. We will continue to update the public as the situation develops.”
This latest response underlines the USDA’s unwavering commitment to livestock biosecurity and protecting the nation’s food production systems from external biological threats.
Stay tuned for updates as USDA teams assess and respond on the ground in Mexico.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.