Cattle producers have been on edge about the threat of New World Screwworm (NWS) creeping its way to our borders. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is implementing a five-pronged plan that started in June to mitigate this potentially large issue.
NWS is a parasitic fly that burrows into open wounds on livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and rarely humans. The first human case of NWS was reported on August 4th from a Maryland resident who traveled from El Salvador.
USDA is taking the following immediate actions as a part of this approach: Innovate our way to eradication, protect the United States border – Construction of a domestic sterile screwworm production facility, wildlife migration prevention, stop the pest from spreading in Mexico and ensure we are all full partners in eradication, United States food safety is of upmost importance.
To read more please see here.
Photo courtesy of USDA/APHIS