US: Screwworm prevention funding secured

Published 2024년 12월 16일

Tridge summary

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has allocated $165 million to prevent the New World screwworm (NWS) from entering the United States, following its detection in a cow in Mexico. This funding will support efforts to halt the spread of NWS through Mexico and Central America, including surveillance, animal health checkpoints, and the establishment of a biological barrier in Panama. The suspension of cattle imports from Mexico will remain in place until these measures are implemented. NWS poses a significant threat to livestock and pets by burrowing into wounds and causing extensive damage. Eradication of the pest involves releasing sterile male insects to prevent further reproduction.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Editor's Note: This story, originally published Dec. 13, was updated with comments from U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer Rosemary Sifford at 2:38 p.m. Dec. 14. ** REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Keeping New World screwworm (NWS) out of the United States is a priority for USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). APHIS announced $165 million in emergency funding has been secured from the Commodity Credit Corporation to protect the country's livestock and other animals. On Nov. 22, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Mexico notified APHIS of a positive NWS detection in a cow in extreme southern Mexico. During the past two years, NWS has spread throughout Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala. Given the severity of the threat from NWS, APHIS restricted the importation of animal commodities, including live cattle, from or transiting through Mexico following the notification. In a statement to DTN on Dec. 13, U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer Rosemary Sifford said that ...

Source: Dtnpf