The United States has announced plans to establish a fly factory in Texas by the end of the year, aimed at breeding millions of New World screwworm flies to prevent a flesh-eating parasite from infesting American cattle.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the $8.5 million facility will focus on breeding sterile male flies, which will be released into the wild to mate with females. This strategic mating will help prevent the females from laying eggs in wounds, where the larvae can cause severe infections.
Concerns over the New World screwworm flies have intensified recently, leading to the U.S. suspending imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico. The decision came after the presence of these flies was detected in southern Mexico late last year, alarming agriculture officials and veterinarians.
Decades ago, the United States successfully eradicated New World screwworm flies through a breeding and release program. The pest had been a persistent threat to cattle ranchers and dairy farmers until it was largely eliminated from the country in the 1960s.
As the New World screwworm larvae can infest any mammal, including pets and even humans, the potential for economic losses in the cattle industry has raised considerable concerns among officials. Various treatments exist for managing infestations, but prevention remains paramount.
Rollins asserted, “The United States has defeated NWS before, and we will do it again,” during a news conference held at Moore Air Base, accompanied by Texas and cattle industry officials.
Mexican Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué expressed optimism regarding the U.S. plan, calling it a positive development. In a social media post, he emphasized the importance of joint efforts between Mexico and the U.S. in addressing this issue and expressed hope that with cooperation and favorable results, Mexico could resume cattle exports soon.
Buck Wehrbein, president of the National Beef Cattlemen’s Association and a Nebraska cattle rancher, stated that ensuring a sufficient supply of sterile flies is crucial to protecting the American cattle herd from the looming threat of New World screwworm.
Kansas Animal Health Commissioner Justin Smith articulated concerns about the potential for wildlife to cross the border unchecked, raising the risk of introducing the screwworm into the U.S. He noted the threat posed by feral pigs, deer, and wild cattle, highlighting the need for vigilance.
The new fly facility will be located on Moore Air Base, located less than 20 miles from the Mexico border. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has indicated that it may establish another breeding center, with the potential to produce up to 300 million flies each week.
Tracking data from the USDA indicates that screwworm flies have been found as far as 700 miles from the U.S. border. Failure to manage their migration poses a significant risk, which could prompt Mexico to heighten efforts to curb the spread of these flies due to U.S. pressure.
Wehrbein noted that Moore Air Base hosted a fly-breeding facility in the 1960s that played a crucial role in the eradication of New World screwworm flies in the U.S. The historical success fosters expectations that the newly planned facility will have similar results.
Texas officials expressed gratitude for the federal response to the threat posed by screwworms and welcomed the plans for the new breeding facility. The USDA and officials in other states are closely monitoring the migration of these pests, emphasizing that maintaining a population of sterile male flies that outnumbers the wild, non-sterile flies is essential for controlling the infestation risk.
As the threat of New World screwworm flies looms, collaborative efforts between U.S. and Mexican officials could prove vital in ensuring the safety of the American cattle industry.
image source from：fox26houston
