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FDA Empowered to Authorize Screwworm Treatments as Pest Nears U.S. Border
19 Aug
Summary
- U.S. health officials grant FDA power to quickly authorize screwworm treatments
- No screwworm cases confirmed in U.S. for decades, but pest found near border
- Sterile fly breeding may not be enough to stop screwworm's spread in Latin America
As of August 19th, 2025, U.S. health officials have empowered the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rapidly authorize the use of animal drugs to combat the threat of the flesh-eating screwworm pest. This move comes as the parasitic fly, which can infest any warm-blooded animal, was discovered last month just 370 miles from the U.S. border in Mexico.
While no screwworm cases have been confirmed in the United States for decades, the Trump administration and livestock ranchers are anticipating potential infestations that could significantly reduce the nation's cattle herd and drive up already record-high beef prices. To address this looming threat, the Department of Health and Human Services has allowed the FDA to issue Emergency Use Authorizations, enabling veterinarians and farmers to access animal drugs not formally approved for screwworm treatment or prevention.
Experts say the best method to fight screwworm is through the breeding of sterile flies, which can reduce the mating population of wild flies. However, the current production capacity may not be enough to effectively slow the pest's spread across Latin America. It could take over a year to build facilities to increase sterile fly output, leaving cattle ranchers in need of quick access to alternative screwworm treatments in the meantime.
