Sterile Flies Released in Florida to Eradicate the Return of the great Infestation in US History
For the last 30 years, the United States has never been alarmed of an infestation that has affected livestock. Screwworm outbreak has come back, and more than a hundred animals have been affected.
Scientists in Florida are already making the necessary steps to stop the outbreak in their area. They have to release sterile flies to halt the population upsurge of the infesting insects as stated by BBC. Further, people are given much awareness on what to do and what to prepare in the coming days.
During the 1960s, the screw worm was already eradicated by the US. The previous infestations have caused the economy hundreds of dollars' worth of agricultural damages.
Documented report in 2016 includes that the endangered Key Deer are among those that are being attacked by the parasites. The blowfly in its larva stage lives and feed on animal flesh, eating livestock alive.
There is a rare occasion where humans are distressed by flies, but no reports have been made yet on the present case. On related news by CNN, the US Department of Agriculture has released over 3 million sterile flies to eradicate the problem.
Cochliomyia hominivorax is the scientific name of this parasite. Because of the previous experience the US had 30 years ago, they also have the necessary treatment aside from the eradication of the spread.
Federal authorities said on Newsweek that they have declared this an emergency throughout the State. Any symptoms or sighting of infestation in the area needs proper reporting.
Adam Putnam from the Commission of Agriculture said that screwworm is once again making devastation in the United States in particular in the State of Florida. Veterinarian Phil Kaufman said in an interview that these kinds of flies are not after the dead tissue but the living tissue.
