Screwworm Infestation Confirmed in Florida Livestock, State Officials Issue Emergency Quarantine
TALLAHASSEE, FL — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed today at 10:00 AM EST the outbreak of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) in a cattle herd located in Miami-Dade County, marking the first infestation in the state in over 30 years. The parasitic fly larvae are burrowing into open wounds of livestock, causing severe tissue damage and a threat of mass mortality.
According to the agency’s veterinary division, a rancher alerted authorities on Tuesday after observing a high number of sick calves with maggot-infested lesions. Laboratory tests from the University of Florida’s Animal Health Laboratory later confirmed the presence of screwworm. The affected property has been placed under an immediate quarantine, prohibiting the movement of any livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, within a 10-mile radius.
Why this is significant is because screwworm larvae feed on living flesh, capable of killing a mature cow within two weeks if left untreated. The United States eradicated the pest in 1966 through a sterile insect technique program, but re-infestations have occurred sporadically from neighboring countries. The source of this current outbreak is under investigation, though preliminary data suggests potential introduction via illegally transported animals from Central America.
In response, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is deploying sterile screwworm flies over a 100-square-mile aerial zone to disrupt the breeding cycle. The Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has activated emergency response teams to inspect all affected farms and set up decontamination stations along major highways. The human risk is low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though farmers are advised to wear protective gear. Officials urge the public to report any ear-tagged or wounded animals with unusual discharge directly to state hotlines.