Experts warn of ways screwworm could spread in the US and new difficulties in keeping it at bay
Conservationists have discovered that the new world screwworm parasite is spreading rapidly among wildlife in Central American forests. Experts warn that this endemic infestation poses a significant risk of reaching the United States, complicating long-term eradication efforts.
Why it matters
The spread of this parasite threatens both livestock industries and wildlife biodiversity, potentially causing severe economic and ecological damage if it enters the US.
The endemic presence of the new world screwworm in wildlife in Central America and the illegal cattle industry have helped the spread of the parasite. The endemic presence of the new world screwworm in wildlife in Central America and the illegal cattle industry have helped the spread of the parasite. US news Experts warn of ways screwworm could spread in the US and new difficulties in keeping it at bay Scientists worry that current eradication efforts won’t be able to contain parasitic infestation pushing into US
Prefer the Guardian on Google When conservationists set up cameras in remote regions of Central American forests, they wanted to monitor illegal cattle movement, which can lead to deforestation . But in recent months, they discovered another alarming development: wildlife rapidly infected with the new world screwworm.
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