Over the past few weeks, Arizona has been working to better prepare for the threat of the New World screwworm, and this week, Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) announced that the University of Arizona has been awarded a $3.74 million Grand Challenge Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to strengthen that effort.
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae burrow into living animals and feed on their tissue from the inside. Left undetected, infestations can be fatal for livestock, wildlife, and even pets.
The pest was previously eliminated through a coordinated U.S.-Mexico effort involving sterile fly releases and public awareness campaigns, but its potential return has put farming communities across the Southwest on edge.
To add, Ciscomani personally wrote to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, making the case that Arizona's agricultural communities deserved preparation, not just reaction.
Continued Effort
"This investment ensures we are not simply reacting to threats after they arrive," he said. "We are building the research, technology, and coordinated partnerships needed to detect New World screwworm early, respond quickly and effectively, and prevent a potential outbreak from becoming a full-scale crisis."
The project, known as PREP-NWS, pulls together specialists in veterinary diagnostics, entomology, agriculture, wildlife health, and economics to build a statewide preparedness network from the ground up.
The work covers early detection tools, expanded surveillance technology, hands-on training for livestock producers and veterinarians, and economic risk assessments for Arizona's rural communities.
Additionally, researchers will explore whether building an Arizona-based sterile fly production facility is a realistic option going forward.
Key partners include the Arizona Cattle Growers' Association, the Arizona Department of Agriculture, and the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, each bringing deep statewide connections and specialized expertise to the effort.
In conclusion, Ciscomani emphasizes it comes down to one thing. "Arizona's ranchers, veterinarians, and rural communities are on the front lines," he said, "and they deserve every tool, every resource, and every advantage we can provide."
