As concerns over the spread of New World screwworm in the United States persist, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleging a lack of cooperation between the Mexican government and the United States.
“The Mexican government is causing frustration and strain on the international partnership’s ability to beat back the Screwworm,” Roy (R–Austin) wrote. “Specifically, I understand that the Mexican government is failing to expedite approval for NovoFly to operate within its borders.”
NovoFly is a genetically modified strain of the screwworm that only produces sterile males. Since female screwworm flies mate only once in their lives, sterile males can effectively reduce the larval population and contain the outbreak.
For decades, the United States and Mexico have cooperated on sterile‑fly programs to keep the pest at bay, but Roy says that partnership is under strain as Mexican regulators slow‑walk approval of NovoFly.
Roy requested that Rubio use all the tools at the Department of State’s disposal to encourage Mexican cooperation in expediting NovoFly’s approval and in containing the spread of the flesh-eating larvae, citing State’s role as the lead diplomatic coordinator in the federal screwworm response.
Federal officials are also working to find other ways to treat NWS in addition to sterile fly production. The FDA issued emergency authorization on Thursday for the use of generic over-the-counter drugs to treat NWS in dogs and cats.
“Today’s authorization is the latest tactical tool in that ongoing containment strategy—providing an affordable, fast-acting treatment for dogs and cats in affected areas,” said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
The USDA still urges South Texas residents to watch for signs of NWS and report any cases while quarantine and containment are ongoing. However, as of June 11, there have still only been nine reported cases of NWS in Texas.
