US plans to mass-produce male screwworm flies to drop on Mexico, Texas

(MENAFN) In an effort to contain the spread of a dangerous parasite threatening both animals and humans, US officials are preparing to release billions of sterilized flies across parts of Mexico and southern Texas, according to reports.

The operation targets the screwworm fly, a particularly harmful species that differs from most other flies by infesting live animals instead of dead or decaying matter. These flies lay their eggs in open wounds or moist membranes of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Once the larvae emerge, they burrow into the living flesh, feeding on it and often causing serious infections or even death if left untreated.

“A thousand-pound bovine can be dead from this in two weeks,” said Michael Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, in comments reported by the media.

To eliminate the parasite, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to mass-produce male screwworm flies, sterilize them using radiation, and then release them by aircraft into targeted areas. These sterile males are expected to mate with wild females, resulting in no viable offspring, which would eventually lead to a collapse in the parasite population.

“It’s an exceptionally good technology,” said Edwin Burgess, a parasitologist at the University of Florida. He noted that such a method can address “some kind of large problem,” referring to the broad ecological and economic threats posed by the screwworm.

This strategy, known as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), has been used successfully in the past to combat invasive insect species and prevent large-scale outbreaks. Authorities hope the operation will protect livestock, wildlife, and even pets from the potentially devastating effects of the parasite.

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