Eliminating New World Screwworm from the United States: An Interactive Look

As we near eradication of New World Screwworm from the Florida Keys. APHIS invites you to take an interactive look at all the steps we’ve taken to rid the United States of this dangerous pest, and save the Florida Key deer.

Go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/maps/animal-health/screwworm-mapping to view our screwworm story map.  A story map is a web-based application that can include videos, photos and, per its namesake, maps, to create an interactive experience for the audience.  

New World Screwworm (NWS) is a pest that infests livestock and other mammals with fly larvae and can be fatal.  In October of 2016, APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, confirmed NWS in samples sent from Florida.  A reproducing population of NWS had established itself in Key deer, an endangered species in Big Pine Key, Florida. This was the first local infestation in the United States in more than 30 years.

Since then, USDA, Florida State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have undertaken an aggressive eradication effort against the pest to protect livestock and humans, as well as save the Key deer population.