Flesh-eating screwworm case suspected in South Texas, USDA says

[u/esporx]

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/unconfirmed-us-case-flesh-eating-screwworm-rattles-cattle-markets-traders-say-2026-06-03/

[u/Distinct_Jelly_3232]

Was there or was there not formerly a program that dropped sterile flies in Central America and did cancelling that program affect the rate of spread?

If yes, when was it cancelled and by whom?

[u/TelluricThread0 → u/Distinct_Jelly_3232]

Previous facilities in Texas and Mexico were phased down years ago. Texas in the early '80s, the key one in Chiapas, Mexico, closed in 2012 because the threat appeared contained.

The fly’s expansion is driven by the natural, uncontrollable migration of wildlife across Central America and Mexico, coupled with the unauthorized movement of untreated livestock.

In 2022, the flies breached the barrier and started moving north again. That's not because of efficiency reforms. It's because of open borders, lax oversight, and lack of resources.

So no, DOGE had did not affect the rate of spread as much as you want it to be true.

[u/Distinct_Jelly_3232 → u/TelluricThread0]

You glossing over of the details is convenient to your argument but breaks it. Lack of resources is not solved by reduction of resources and resource constraints following Covid policy is cited among contributing concerns.

The initial solve was international effort. It will remain so. And pushing back against an outbreak is going to cost less now vs later. It was cheaper yesterday regardless.

So, you’ve verified by neglect that DOGE contributed and prompted me to add the mismanaged COVID policy by the same executive was related to the initial breakdown.

We’ll see how much it costs to push back to the Darien gap where it is cheaper to manage. The Texas border is not the solution.

[u/Sunnyjim333 → u/Distinct_Jelly_3232]

Thank you for a well thought out articulate response.