Posted: Saturday, July 12, 2025. 9:57 am CST.
By Zoila Palma: The U.S. is launching a $29.5 million emergency plan to prevent the spread of flesh-eating New World screwworm maggots, which could cause over $100 billion in damage to livestock, wildlife, and even humans, People reports.
To stop the parasite—nicknamed the “man-eater”—the USDA will release up to 200 million sterile male flies along the Texas-Mexico border.
These flies, bred in Mexico and Panama, can’t reproduce, helping to collapse the screwworm population.
“This can kill a 1,000-pound cow in two weeks,” warned Dr. Michael Bailey of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The plan also includes expanded border inspections, livestock surveillance, and a new $8.5 million fly dispersal facility in Texas.
“We do not take lightly the threat NWS poses,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “The United States has defeated NWS before, and we will do it again.”
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The post International News: United States plans to release millions of flies to prevent spread of New World screwworm appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Saturday, July 12, 2025. 9:57 am CST. By Zoila Palma: The U.S. is launching a $29.5 million emergency plan to prevent the spread of flesh-eating
The post International News: United States plans to release millions of flies to prevent spread of New World screwworm appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
