● Covered by 1 source · 2 reportsMedium impact1 negative1 neutral
Screwworm Cases Rise in Mexico, US Deploys Drones for Surveillance in Texas
Key points
- Over 500 human screwworm cases reported in Mexico (2025-2026).
- Six deaths occurred among 200 confirmed cases in Mexico.
- New World screwworm re-invaded Mexico in 2024.
- US deployed 200+ drones for screwworm surveillance in Texas.
- USDA and CBP conducted over 1,000 drone flights, surveyed 22,000+ animals.
Screwworm Re-emergence in Mexico
The flesh-eating screwworm fly, which re-invaded Mexico in 2024, has led to a significant increase in human cases. According to a July surveillance report from Mexico’s Ministry of Health, more than 500 human cases were recorded between 2025 and 2026. A study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases analyzed over 200 confirmed cases from April 2025 to March 2026, indicating an accelerating infestation rate.
Among the 200 confirmed cases in the study, six deaths were reported. Researchers in Mexico stated that at least one of these deaths was directly caused by the fly’s maggots. The New World screwworm was previously endemic in Mexico and the US but was declared eradicated in Mexico in 2003 after a decades-long effort.
Parasite Characteristics and Impact
The New World screwworm fly lays hundreds of eggs in the wounds, inflamed tissue, mucous membranes, and orifices of warm-blooded creatures. The maggots hatch within a day and consume living flesh. While they can cause severe, life-threatening wounds in various warm-blooded species, including humans, they are particularly damaging to livestock.
US Surveillance Efforts in Texas
In response to the detection of screwworm cases in South Texas in June, the US government has initiated a large-scale surveillance operation. Hundreds of drones, previously used for border surveillance, have been repurposed to monitor for screwworm infestations in wild animals and livestock herds. This effort is a collaboration between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The operation involves at least 200 drones owned by the Department of Homeland Security, which includes CBP. The USDA has reported conducting over 1,000 drone flights and surveying more than 22,000 animals as part of this initiative. The extent to which these drone flights have led to detections of infested animals in the United States remains unclear, with the USDA dashboard showing 45 confirmed cases.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Hundreds of US government drones, previously used for border surveillance, have been redirected to monitor for screwworm infestations in wild animals and livestock in Texas. This initiative, involving the USDA and CBP, aims to detect and control the spread of the flesh-eating parasite, marking a significant shift in drone application for animal health surveillance.
Mexico has reported over 500 human cases of flesh-eating screwworms between 2025 and 2026, following the fly's re-invasion in 2024. A study indicates an increasing infestation pace, with six deaths reported among 200 confirmed cases. This re-emergence poses a public health concern, particularly for livestock and humans, after the parasite was declared eradicated in Mexico in 2003.