Genetically modified fly facility to eradicate screwworm is slated for Mexico by 2026
Mexico Builds US$51 Million Facility to Combat Screwworm
A joint project with the U.S., Mexico's government has started building a US$51 million facility to combat the resurgence of the New World screwworm. Located in Mexico's south, the facility is expected to produce 100 million sterile screwworm flies per week upon completion.
The screwworm, a pest that infests livestock and wildlife, was eradicated in Mexico and the U.S. in the 1980s but reappeared in 2022, moving from South America through Central America into southern Mexico. As of July 7, 2022, the infestation had broken out in southern Mexico and was advancing northward toward the United States.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the gradual reopening of imports of cattle, bison, and horses from Mexico starting on June 30, with ports beginning to reopen in phases starting on Monday, beginning with Douglas, Arizona. However, the USDA closed the Southern border to certain livestock imports from Mexico on May 11 due to the screwworm infestation.
In Mexico, ranchers, especially those in Chiapas, are struggling with the infestation, suffering livestock losses and facing high treatment costs. Mexico is spending $30 million towards the cost of the facility, while the U.S. is contributing $21 million. The completion of the plant is expected in the first half of 2026.
The U.S. is also planning to open a sterile fly dispersal facility in Hidalgo County, Texas, as part of the country's fight against the screwworm. The screwworm can infest livestock and wildlife and carry maggots that burrow into the skin of living animals, causing serious and often fatal damage.
As the infestation continues to spread and challenges mount, both countries are taking action to contain the pest. The ongoing battle against the screwworm serves as a reminder of the importance of international cooperation in addressing shared threats to public health and agriculture.
Status as of July 7, 2022
| Region | Screwworm Status | |----------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Mexico | Active infestation spreading northward from South America, particularly in southern states like Chiapas and Veracruz | | United States | No detected infestation inside U.S. yet; preventive measures and import restrictions in place due to proximity of infestation in Mexico |
- The environmental-science community is closely monitoring the climate-change implications of the screwworm infestation, with concerns about potential impacts on the ecosystem and biodiversity.
- As part of the ongoing efforts to combat the screwworm, the industry sector is exploring new finance solutions to fund the construction and operation of sterile fly production facilities in both Mexico and the United States.
- The completion of the US$51 million facility in Mexico will significantly boost environmental-science research on the screwworm, offering unique opportunities for collaboration between Mexican and American scientists to develop exportable technologies for controlling the pest.
