The Swine Health Information Center is encouraging U.S. pork producers, especially those close to the border with Mexico, to be aware of the risks posed by New World Screwworm.The New World Screwworm fly, which gains access to warm blooded animals through wounds or mucus membranes and lays eggs that hatch into larvae that feed on the living tissue of its host, has been identified in Mexico within 700 miles of the U.S. border.
A June 13th Swine Health Information Center American Association of Swine Veterinarians webinar which looked at the “Emerging Risk of New World Screwworm and Efforts to Prevent Re-introduction into the U.S.” is now available for demand viewing at swinehealth.org.SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says its important for producers to be aware of New World Screwworm, what look for and ongoing prevention and control efforts.
Quote-Dr. Lisa Becton-Swine Health Information Center:
One of the main tools that's utilized to help control this parasite is something called sterile insect technique and what that is is the production of sterile male flies that are released into the environment because female flies only mate once and, if they mate with a sterile fly, they cannot lay viable eggs.That, eventually over time, will halt the reproductive cycle of the fly eliminating or making sure it reduces in the areas that it's infesting.
This has been employed for quite some time and is also being utilized heavily in Mexico to help make sure the fly does not migrate away from its current area in Chiapas and Oaxaca and so that's been something that is been in cooperation with many different international organizations.Other efforts are focused on identifying animals that are infected, making sure they're not moving, whether on their own or by vehicle to other areas that are not infested.All of these things are being employed to stop the movement of flies themselves but also to prevent movement of animals going to where they shouldn't be going.
Source : Farmscape.ca