New World Screwworm Abatement Through a Public Health Lens

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Outcomes and Observations From an Emergency Preparedness Exercise 

In April 2026, the Entomological Society of America and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention brought together more than 100 experts from public health, animal health, government, academia, and industry for an emergency preparedness exercise on New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax). This report summarizes the key outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for strengthening collaboration, communication, and response readiness to address screwworm's threat to public health.

Download the Report

 

Summary of Key Observations

  1. Early detection will fail without simple, universally understood reporting pathways for suspected cases of New World screwworm.
  2. Frontline recognition of human cases will be uneven, especially outside hospitals and in rural or low-access areas. 
  3. One Health coordination and lines of communication must be pre-established because response activities span authorities in public health, animal health, wildlife management, and more. 
  4. Specimen logistics are predictable bottlenecks, especially over nights and weekends and in rural and low-capacity states. 
  5. Rapid human and animal case investigation requires a standardized patient history and fast, permissioned data sharing to guide trapping. 
  6. Surge capacity will strain epidemiology, field response, and communications even if labs can handle volume. 
  7. Risk communication must be unified, prepared in advance, and built to withstand misinformation and elevated mistrust. 
  8. Access barriers can lead to delayed care, missed follow-up, and silent reservoirs, especially among populations experiencing homelessness and workers at increased risk of infestation. 
  9. Preparedness and response planning for New World screwworm in Tribal communities must be grounded in early relationship building, respect for Tribal sovereignty, and sustained two-way engagement. 
  10. Animal movement (including companion animals and shelters) is a potential driver for New World screwworm spread, and authority for non-livestock species can be unclear. 
  11. Sterile insect technique is central to containment, but public perception and worker safety messaging can undermine acceptability.

Download the PDF to learn more and explore recommendations to improve public health response to New World screwworm.

View additional resources about New World screwworm.

©️ Entomological Society of America