Public Health Alert Issued as Screwworm Parasite Cases Surge Across North America

Public health agencies and agricultural inspectors have issued an emergency biosecurity warning following a sharp resurgence of the New World screwworm parasite (*Cochliomyia hominivorax*). Over 500 confirmed cases of screwworm infestation in livestock and domestic animals have been documented across North America over recent weeks. Screwworm flies lay eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals, where larvae feed aggressively on living tissue. Agricultural authorities are deploying sterile insect technique (SIT) fly releases and enforcing strict livestock movement quarantine checkpoints to contain the spread.

Health officials emphasize that early clinical intervention and wound hygiene are critical. Livestock producers are urged to report any suspected parasitic infections to regional veterinary authorities immediately.