CDC Activates Emergency Operations Center to Combat New World Screwworm

Why it matters locally: The reemergence of New World screwworm in Florida poses a potential threat to Texas's livestock industry, the nation's second-largest by cattle inventory. Federal agencies are evaluating border screening and surveillance protocols to prevent the parasitic fly from spreading westward from Florida and across the Mexico border, where the pest remains endemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention activated its Emergency Operations Center to manage response efforts following the detection of New World screwworm in Florida, marking the first confirmed U.S. presence of the parasitic fly in nearly 60 years. The CDC established the operations center to coordinate surveillance, diagnostic testing, and containment strategies across federal agencies and state officials. The agency mobilized resources to track the spread of the infestation and prevent further transmission. New World screwworm, known scientifically as Cochliomyia hominivorax, affects livestock and wild animals by laying eggs in open wounds. The parasitic fly larvae burrow into tissue and can cause severe infections or death if untreated. Humans can also become infected, though cases are rare. The last confirmed U.S. case occurred in 1966 in Florida, before a successful eradication program using sterile insect technique eliminated the pest from the continental United States. The technique involved releasing millions of sterilized male flies into affected areas to prevent reproduction. CDC epidemiologists and veterinary specialists began investigation and containment procedures once officials confirmed the presence of the screwworm in Florida. The agency coordinated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state health departments to increase surveillance in affected regions and neighboring areas. State veterinarians instructed livestock owners to examine animals for signs of infestation, including open sores with unusual discharge or behavioral changes. Treatment options available to veterinarians include topical insecticides and wound management to remove larvae and prevent secondary infections. The CDC classified the detection as a public health threat requiring immediate intervention. Federal officials stated that early detection and swift action remain critical to preventing establishment of breeding populations in North America. Authorities recommended that residents and farmers report any suspected cases to local health departments or agricultural officials. The agency established communication channels for veterinarians and healthcare providers to report potential human or animal cases. The reemergence of the screwworm prompted federal agencies to evaluate border screening measures and international travel protocols, given that the fly remains endemic in Central America, South America, and parts of the Caribbean. Officials indicated that the Emergency Operations Center would maintain active status until surveillance data showed no new detections over a sustained period.