Screwworms are a problem the USA has dealt with before, but it was able to eradicate them and protect its country. However, they’re creeping back towards the United States Border and planning a comeback. The USDA is trying to find a way to stop the Screwworms and keep them out of the country by utilizing sterilized flies and releasing them over Northern Mexico. However, this time it might not be enough to use these systems. Keep on reading to discover why these worms are so dangerous for the United States.
Screwworms: The Flesh-Eating Threat Returns
Screwworms are not a new threat to the USA. In 2006, they successfully eradicated the full population of the worm. However, the screwworms reemerged in 2022, breaching the buffer zone and spreading northward from Central America.
These insects are more than just pests. They can be a real threat and cause fatal infections in animals and, on rare occasions, humans. Their larvae feed on live flesh, leading to excruciating wounds, secondary infections, and death if untreated.
Mexico has seen a surge in animal cases, triggering fears that livestock industries could suffer catastrophic losses. Wildlife, including deer and endangered species, are equally vulnerable, making this more than an agricultural issue. It’s an ecological emergency.
USA Fights back
To fight back, the USDA is deploying millions of sterilised male flies by air. When these sterile flies mate with wild females, no offspring result, slowing the population’s growth. This approach once eradicated the pest—scientists now hope it can do so again.
But time is short. With warming temperatures and cross-border movement of animals, the risk of reinfestation within the United States borders grows by the week. The fight against screwworms is no longer a historical victory; it is becoming an active fight against the screwworms to protect the animals within the United States!
