US deploys drones for screwworm surveillance in Texas
Hundreds of US government drones have been redirected from border surveillance to monitor for the spread of flesh-eating screwworms in wild animals and livestock in Texas. The first cases were detected in June, prompting an extensive monitoring operation.
The United States is utilizing hundreds of government drones to conduct surveillance for the spread of flesh-eating screwworms in Texas. These drones, previously assigned to border monitoring, are now focused on identifying signs of the parasitic larvae in wild animal populations and livestock herds.
The New World Screwworm is a parasitic larva that develops from fly eggs laid in the open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Untreated infestations can lead to severe injury or death. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiated a significant animal health surveillance operation after the first cases were reported in South Texas in June.
This effort involves at least 200 drones operated by the Department of Homeland Security, which encompasses CBP. According to USDA reports, over 1,000 drone flights have been conducted, surveying more than 22,000 animals to date. The deployment aims to rapidly detect and contain the pest's expansion within the state.