USDA Shifts Sterile Fly Dispersal Efforts to Prevent Spread of New World Screwworm
USDA/APHIS image
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced a significant shift in its sterile fly dispersal strategy aimed at stopping the northward spread of New World Screwworm (NWS). The adjustment moves dispersal operations closer to the U.S.-Mexico border to reinforce protection efforts as cases continue to spread in northern Mexico.
Under the new strategy, USDA will shift its dispersal of approximately 100 million sterile flies per week to strengthen coverage near the border region. The goal is to create a stronger biological barrier to prevent NWS from reaching the United States and threatening livestock health.
Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs for USDA, emphasized the urgency of the effort, stating, “At Secretary Rollins’ direction, our highest priority is protecting the United States from screwworm. The northernmost active case of NWS in Mexico is still about 200 miles away from the border, but we’ve seen cases continue to spread in Tamaulipas and further south in Mexico, so we are proactively shifting our polygon as we make every effort to prevent NWS from reaching our border.”
The updated dispersal zone now includes “operations about 50 miles into Texas, along the U.S. border with the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Mass production and targeted dispersal of sterile insects are critical components of an effective strategy to fight NWS. Other tools including import protocols and surveillance continue to support these robust efforts to keep NWS out of the United States.”
USDA officials note that sterile insect technology has long been a proven method for controlling screwworm populations by interrupting their reproductive cycle. Combined with enhanced surveillance and import controls, the approach is designed to protect U.S. livestock producers from potentially devastating economic and animal health impacts.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins highlighted the collaborative nature of the response in a post on X, saying, “Special thank you to my friend Governor Greg Abbott for his partnership and help in deploying all possible resources to protect our border and livestock. And thank you to so many ranchers and experts on the ground who have stepped up this year to help. We are making progress, but so much more to do. We will continue to do everything possible to contain, push back and eradicate. This is a top priority.”
USDA officials say prevention remains the most effective defense as efforts continue to contain, push back, and ultimately eradicate New World Screwworm before it reaches U.S. soil.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.