New World Screwworm has entered the United States — and in this episode, host Baxter Whitworth sits down with the three people most responsible for stopping it: Admiral Michael Schmoyer, Associate Administrator at USDA APHIS and Director of the New World Screwworm Directorate; Dr. T.R. Lansford, Deputy Executive Director and Associate State Veterinarian at the Texas Animal Health Commission; and Tracy Tomosik, Commodity and Regulatory Activities Associate Director for Texas Farm Bureau. This is the first time all three have appeared together in one interview on the outbreak.

What Is New World Screwworm?

New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae consume live tissue in open wounds on warm-blooded animals, including cattle, wildlife, and occasionally humans. It's highly treatable when caught early, but left unchecked it can cause severe wounds and death losses in a herd.

How Big Is the Sterile Fly Response?

Since February, over 627 million sterile flies have been released in Texas as part of a decades-proven population-suppression strategy, according to Admiral Michael Schmoyer. A newer strain called NovoFly allows production of male-only sterile flies, effectively doubling the field impact of every batch produced. Schmoyer says officials are targeting 500 million flies a week to fully contain the outbreak — up from the current 100 million.

What Should Producers Do If They Suspect an Infestation?

Dr. T.R. Lansford outlines the process: monitor animals for wounds, especially wounds containing maggots. Collect a sample using a screwworm kit (available through a veterinarian or AgriLife Extension), contact the Texas Animal Health Commission before mailing anything, then treat the wound and manage it with an accredited veterinarian. Fast identification allows sterile flies to be deployed into the area within 24 hours.

Why Does Livestock Movement Matter So Much?

Admiral Michael Schmoyer, Dr. T.R. Lansford, and Tracy Tomosik all point to the same root cause: uncontrolled movement of infested animals is what let screwworm break through the historic biological barrier at the Darién Gap and eventually reach Texas. Movement controls — inspection, ID, and permitting before animals can be transported — are now central to preventing the same failure from repeating.

Key Takeaways:

• New World Screwworm is treatable and not a food-supply risk, but requires fast identification and reporting
• 627+ million sterile flies released in Texas since February; NovoFly technology is doubling effective output, per Admiral Michael Schmoyer
• Movement of infested animals — not the fly's own flight range — is the primary driver of spread
• Case rates are trending flat to down, but Schmoyer cautions it's early — only the second fly life cycle since the outbreak began
• The long-term U.S. goal is pushing the fly back to the Darién Gap, as was achieved decades ago

New World Screwworm Playbook: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-response-playbook.pdf