Unified One Health Response to the New World Screwworm (_Cochliomyia hominivorax_) Incursion:
How can a unified 'One Health' strategy effectively detect, contain, and communicate the unprecedented resurgence of the New World Screwworm (NWS) across shifting environmental, social, and geographic barriers?
Eradicated decades ago through a massive biological campaign dropping millions of irradiated flies from the sky, a flesh-eating parasite has exploited shifting climates to breach a continental barrier and re-enter the United States.
New World screwworm (NWS) is a devastating obligate parasite whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. Historically eradicated from the United States in the 20th century through an intensive biological control program, NWS poses a severe threat to the U.S. livestock industry, wildlife, pets, and, in rare cases, public health.
In June 2026, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) confirmed the presence of NWS in the United States for the first time during the current outbreak. The USDA is actively leading a coordinated, whole-of-government "One Health" response alongside state partners to contain the incursions, protect the national herd, and prevent endemic establishment.
To date, the risk to the U.S. general public is considered very low, and zero locally acquired human cases have been reported in the United States. It is also not a food safety issue, as the U.S. food supply remains safe and inspection protocols prevent affected carcasses from entering commerce.
First U.S. Detection
June 3, 2026
USDA APHIS confirms the detection of NWS in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas.
Multi-State Spread Identified
June 8, 2026
USDA confirms the first case in a dog in Lea County, New Mexico. This marked the fourth confirmed case overall in the United States, prompting expanded interstate epidemiological investigations.
Grand Challenge & SIT Expansion
Fall 2026
USDA announces the $100 million NWS Grand Challenge to drive innovation. Concurrently, investments in Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) infrastructure scale capacity toward producing 500 million sterile flies per week.
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