UN agencies launch US$1M project to contain resurgent screwworm outbreak across the Americas
Outbreak threatens livestock production and raises concerns over regional food security.
USA – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have launched a US$1 million five-year research initiative aimed at controlling the return of the New World Screwworm across parts of Central America, Mexico, and the southern United States.
The project focuses on improving the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), a biological control method that involves releasing sterilised male flies to disrupt reproductive cycles and reduce the parasite’s population growth.
The initiative follows confirmed detections of the pest in the United States, including reported cases in Texas, marking its first reappearance in decades and triggering renewed containment efforts.
Livestock sector under pressure as outbreak expands
The New World Screwworm, caused by Cochliomyia hominivorax, is a parasitic fly whose larvae infest wounds in livestock, wildlife, pets, and occasionally humans, feeding on living tissue and causing severe health complications.
Agricultural authorities in affected regions have begun emergency control measures, including large-scale releases of sterile flies, although current production capacity remains below estimated requirements for effective suppression.
Officials note that existing facilities produce roughly 100 million sterile flies per week, while scientific estimates suggest up to 600 million per week may be required to fully contain the outbreak.
Research aims to scale up control technology
The new UN-backed project will focus on improving mass-rearing systems, sterilisation methods, and release strategies to increase efficiency and scalability of SIT operations.
Researchers will also study screwworm biology, including mating behaviour and strain competitiveness, to improve the effectiveness of control and reduce operational costs.
FAO leadership said the initiative is designed to strengthen tools that protect livestock livelihoods and improve resilience in global agrifood systems.
Broader implications for food systems and trade
The resurgence of screwworm has raised concerns among livestock producers, particularly cattle farmers, due to the risk of production losses and potential increases in meat prices if outbreaks spread further.
The initiative builds on previous eradication efforts in North America and other regions, where SIT played a key role in eliminating the pest in past decades.
Authorities continue to urge livestock handlers to monitor animals closely, report suspected cases quickly, and maintain preventive treatment protocols to limit further spread.
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