USDA and Texas Officials Mark Completion of Sterile Fly Facility to Combat New World Screwworm

• USDA completed a U.S.-based sterile fly dispersal facility in Edinburg, Texas.
• The facility strengthens preparedness against potential New World Screwworm incursions.
• The project is part of a broader federal response plan announced in 2025.
• Texas and federal authorities emphasized cross-border surveillance and coordination.
• The facility expands USDA’s capacity to respond quickly to emerging threats near the U.S. border.

USDA Completes Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in Texas

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Texas Governor Greg Abbott marked the completion of a sterile fly dispersal facility in Edinburg, Texas, aimed at strengthening the United States’ preparedness against New World Screwworm (NWS). The facility expands the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ability to deploy sterile flies along the U.S.-Mexico border and, if required, within the United States.

The sterile insect technique is a key tool used to control NWS, a parasitic fly whose larvae can cause severe damage to livestock and wildlife. The addition of a U.S.-based dispersal site is intended to complement existing facilities operating across Central America and Mexico.

“This sterile fly dispersal facility was a high priority project, and our team delivered it in record time,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Rollins. “This new facility is a monumental achievement for our domestic preparedness efforts.”

Federal and State Coordination on New World Screwworm Response

The completion of the Texas facility follows a broader federal strategy announced by USDA in June 2025. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Rollins outlined a five-pronged plan to enhance detection, control, and elimination of New World Screwworm, which included plans to establish a sterile fly dispersal facility in South Texas.

According to USDA, the new site strengthens operational flexibility by allowing rapid adjustments to dispersal efforts based on surveillance data and the geographic distribution of NWS cases in northern Mexico.

“America is going to take care of ourselves, including dealing with the approach of screwworm as it gets closer to our border,” said Governor Abbott. He added that Texas has committed state resources to support livestock producers and wildlife protection efforts.

USDA Expands Border Surveillance and Dispersal Capacity

Shift in Dispersal Operations

On January 30, USDA announced a shift in its sterile fly dispersal strategy, reinforcing coverage along the U.S.-Mexico border with the deployment of up to 100 million sterile flies per week. Initially, these operations will continue from the Tampico, Mexico facility.

However, USDA stated that it is prepared to transition dispersal operations to the Edinburg, Texas facility if surveillance indicates a change in the location or concentration of New World Screwworm cases in northern Mexico.

Preparedness and Regional Impact

USDA emphasized that the facility supports a broader approach that includes trapping, surveillance, and international coordination. The agency stated that maintaining multiple dispersal facilities enhances resilience and response speed in the event of increased pest pressure near the border.

Secretary Rollins noted that USDA will continue working with state governments and international partners to mitigate the spread of New World Screwworm and protect U.S. agriculture and livestock industries.