The United States is deploying a controversial biological weapon in the fight against a screwworm outbreak that threatens livestock and wildlife: sterile flies and sniffer dogs. Sources familiar with the operation confirm that the US Department of Agriculture has partnered with British experts from the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency to contain the parasite, which has already caused millions of dollars in losses. The screwworm, a flesh-eating fly larva, has been detected in cattle, deer, and domestic animals across the southern states.
Officials fear the outbreak could spread to commercial farms, devastating the agriculture sector. The strategy involves releasing millions of sterilised male screwworm flies to mate with wild females, halting reproduction. Meanwhile, trained dogs are being used to sniff out infected animals.
British scientists are advising on the logistics of the fly-release programme, drawing on experience from similar outbreaks in Africa. Critics question the long-term ecological impact, but insiders confirm that without this measure, the outbreak could spiral out of control. Documents reviewed by our team show that the UK’s involvement was formalised in a closed-door agreement last month.
The operation is being funded through a covert budget line, raising questions about oversight. One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “This is a high-stakes gamble. If it works, we save the industry.
If it fails, we’ve introduced a new vector into the ecosystem.” The USDA declined to comment on the record. As the flies are released in secret locations, the countdown to a potential crisis continues.
