Webinar Aug 12: New World Screwworm – for Veterinarians and Animal Health Regulatory Officials

By Abbey Canon

The New World screwworm (NWS), Cochliomyia hominivorax, is a devastating animal and public health pest. When NWS fly larvae burrow into the flesh of a living animal they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people. Prior to successful eradication campaigns, NWS caused devastating losses in U.S. livestock through death, reduced productivity, and increased veterinary costs. During the 1976 NWS outbreak in Texas, producers spent an estimated $132.1 million (or $731.8 million in 2025 dollars) that year in response. Should NWS re-establish in the U.S., the economic consequences would be severe. For example, Texas alone could face losses exceeding $700 million annually, with broader impacts on the state’s economy reaching $1.8 billion. 

Webinar Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: 

• Explain the NWS life cycle, clinical signs, and morbidity and mortality 
• Summarize the current outbreak status of NWS infestations in Central America 
• Describe how to detect and report infestations 
• Identify key interventions for eradication  
• Locate specific support resources for responding to NWS