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Florida Detects New World Screwworm; Urgent Measures Underway

2/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Florida Department of Agriculture announced that agricultural inspectors in Florida intercepted the New World screwworm in an imported horse from Argentina, highlighting risks to livestock and humans.
To prevent spread, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is releasing 100 million sterile screwworm flies weekly near the U.S.-Mexico border and has set up fly traps for surveillance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised doctors to monitor for screwworm infestation signs, especially in patients with open wounds who spend time in Central America and Mexico.
These actions reflect cross-agency efforts to prevent establishment of the parasite in the United States and protect livestock and public health.

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Story summary

The Florida Department of Agriculture announced that agricultural inspectors in Florida intercepted the New World screwworm in an imported horse from Argentina, highlighting risks to livestock and humans.
To prevent spread, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is releasing 100 million sterile screwworm flies weekly near the U.S.-Mexico border and has set up fly traps for surveillance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised doctors to monitor for screwworm infestation signs, especially in patients with open wounds who spend time in Central America and Mexico.
These actions reflect cross-agency efforts to prevent establishment of the parasite in the United States and protect livestock and public health.