screwworm Outbreak Forces $500M Global Livestock Emergency as New World Crisis Deepens
The New World screwworm has triggered a coordinated $500 million emergency response across livestock industries in Central America and the Caribbean, as infestations threaten to collapse beef and dairy supply chains. Over 4,000 cases reported in 2025 have already disrupted exports from Panama to Jamaica, with agricultural officials warning that current containment protocols are failing to curb the rapid spread. CEO-level briefings highlight a 30% production loss in affected regions, pushing commodity prices higher and exposing critical gaps in veterinary surveillance. The crisis now demands immediate cross-border investment in sterile insect technology to avert a full-scale market crash.