WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV NEWS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports 52 New World screwworm cases in the United States since June 3, including two currently active cases, as the department continues surveillance and a phased reopening of southern cattle ports.
USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to provide more insight into how the department is using animal health surveillance and inspection protocols to guide decisions on reopening additional ports and safely moving cattle.
“The good news is only two of those are currently active,” Hoskins said. “That’s really a reflection and a credit to the work that USDA, APHIS — our whole-of-government approach — federal partners, state partners. Just a really remarkable effort to help keep those numbers down.”
Hoskins encouraged producers and others in the cattle industry to visit Screwworm.gov, where USDA maintains regularly updated information about the response.
Surveillance Data Guides Port Reopenings
USDA has reopened two ports to cattle movement, Hoskins said, while continuing to assess another location. He said surveillance and animal health assessments are central to decisions about whether to reopen additional ports.
“The assessment we do on the ground is so important,” Hoskins said.
He said USDA works with Veterinary Services and Wildlife Services to conduct surveillance, including trapping and monitoring wildlife.
“The data that we collect really helps inform what, from an animal health perspective, we’re capable of allowing,” he said.
Hoskins said the department’s protocols are designed to allow cattle to move through reopened ports safely while officials continue monitoring conditions.
Protocols Could Trigger a Pause or Closure
Hoskins said reopening a port does not end USDA’s oversight. The department continues to assess animal health conditions and whether inspection and treatment protocols are being followed.
He outlined several steps in the process, including inspections at gathering centers, examinations by accredited veterinarians, inspections of port facilities, administration of FDA-approved products for screwworm, hands-on inspections by APHIS personnel, detector dog teams and dipping baths for individual animals.
“We have some really robust protocols, and all this is on Screwworm.gov,” Hoskins said.
He said USDA has maintained around-the-clock assessments since reopening the ports of Douglas and Santa Teresa.
“What we have seen is complete integrity in that process and that protocol,” Hoskins said.
However, he identified circumstances that could prompt officials to reconsider cattle movement.
“If we do see something, if there’s a breakdown in the protocol for any reason, if we start to see infestations flare up in areas in and around the ports, that would be a point of concern,” he said.
Hoskins said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has made clear that cattle movement could be suspended if conditions warrant a closure.
Sterile Fly Production Expands
Sterile fly production remains a central part of the effort to control New World screwworm. The technique interrupts the pest’s reproductive cycle by releasing sterile flies.
Hoskins said the technology was developed by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in the 1960s and helped eradicate New World screwworm from the United States, Mexico, and Central America.
“The sterile fly technique is critical. It’s proven,” Hoskins said.
He said the COPEG facility in Panama produces about 100 million sterile flies per week through a partnership with regional counterparts.
USDA also helped convert a fruit fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, to produce New World screwworm flies. Hoskins said that facility is currently producing about 50 million sterile flies per week, with production expected to increase through the end of the year.
“Ultimately, that facility will be able to produce another 100 million-plus sterile flies per week,” he said.
New Texas Facility Planned
USDA is also advancing plans for a sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas.
Hoskins said the original construction timeline was three to five years, reflecting the complexity of the facility’s power, water, logistics and security requirements.
Through coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers and the construction contractor, USDA has accelerated the schedule.
“Our end date for construction will be April of 2027, which is really remarkable and a credit to the teams working on that,” Hoskins said.
Construction completion will not immediately mean full production, he cautioned. USDA will still need time to establish the fly colony and scale up output.
The first phase is expected to produce 100 million sterile flies per week. Hoskins said the department plans to complete a second phase within the following year, adding another 200 million flies per week.
“Effectively, 300 million sterile flies per week coming out of Moore Air Base once it’s fully operational after phase two,” he said.
