How the U.S. and Mexico Are Fighting Deadly Flesh-Eating Screwworms

The U.S. and Mexico are working together to combat the re-emergence of the deadly flesh-eating screwworm, a parasitic infection that primarily affects livestock and wildlife. The screwworm, which had been eradicated from North America since the 1960s, has recently been detected in Florida and parts of Mexico, posing a significant threat to the region's agricultural and ecological systems. The governments of both countries are exploring various strategies to control the outbreak, including increased surveillance, public awareness campaigns, and the potential use of sterile insect technique (SIT) to suppress the screwworm population. SIT involves the release of large numbers of sterile male insects to mate with wild females, thereby reducing the overall population. Authorities have emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation and the need for a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to address this emerging challenge. The screwworm outbreak serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats to animal health and the necessity for continued vigilance and international collaboration in addressing such zoonotic diseases.