Flesh-eating New World screwworms have spread to Arizona, becoming the third US state affected after Texas and New Mexico. Since the flies re-invaded the US in June, 74 animal cases have been confirmed, including recent attacks on domestic dogs.
Background
New World screwworms were eradicated from the US in the 1960s using sterile male fly releases, but the biological barrier in the Darién Gap was breached in 2022, allowing the parasites to migrate north. Mexico has reported 806 human cases and 9 deaths since the reemergence.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Oct 31, 2026 at 06:36 AM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10