USDA is launching a unified New World Screwworm (NWS) website to centralize information on the government’s “aggressive, whole-of-government response” to the parasitic flies.
While NWS has not crossed into the United States, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service estimates that a contemporary outbreak of the devastating parasitic fly would cost cattle producers $732 million per year in Texas alone, with an overall economic toll of $1.8 billion in the state.
USDA’s Screwworm.gov has targeted resources for a wide range of stakeholders including livestock producers, veterinarians, animal health officials, wildlife professionals, healthcare providers, pet owners, researchers, drug manufacturers, and the general public.