When most people think of hunger in America, they picture empty refrigerators, skipped meals, or long food bank lines. But few would imagine a flesh-eating parasite as a threat to food security. At Feed America, our mission extends beyond simply feeding the hungry—we work to understand and address the deeper systems that affect access to nutrition across the country. Today, one of those threats is resurfacing in a way that could ripple across dinner tables nationwide: the resurgence of the New World Screwworm.
This dangerous parasite, which targets warm-blooded animals, is no longer just a veterinary concern—it’s fast becoming a food system issue. In response to a growing outbreak in Mexico and Central America, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently suspended livestock imports from Mexico and committed $8.5 million toward building a sterile fly production facility in Texas to prevent the parasite’s return to American soil, as noted in their official announcement. While this emergency response is essential, it also highlights how fragile the food supply chain can be—especially for low-income households already on the edge of hunger.
What Is the New World Screwworm?
The New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue. Unlike other pests that feed on decaying matter, this insect causes aggressive, often fatal infestations in livestock by entering through open wounds. Once eradicated from the U.S. in the 1980s, it has made a troubling return in regions like Panama, Cuba, and most recently, Mexico. The USDA has taken notice of this renewed threat, with reports confirming preparations to halt its spread by scaling up containment efforts, including plans for a major response facility near the southern border, as reported by Reuters.
To stop the parasite before it crosses into the U.S., officials are relying on a proven method called the sterile insect technique (SIT). This involves releasing sterilized male screwworm flies that can’t reproduce, gradually collapsing the population without using pesticides. While scientifically sound, this approach also signals how urgent the situation has become.
Why Ranchers and Farmers Are on High Alert
For American ranchers, an outbreak would be catastrophic. The screwworm is most dangerous to cattle, sheep, and goats—core elements of the U.S. food economy. Infections can rapidly spread through herds, requiring expensive treatment and, in some cases, mass culling. In fact, the potential economic damage in Texas alone is estimated to be as high as $1.9 billion, according to reporting from the Houston Chronicle.
This isn’t just a rural crisis. As ranchers tighten their operations to guard against infection, the effects ripple outward. Beef production slows, exports decrease, and prices begin to rise. From grocery store shelves to school lunch programs, the consequences of a livestock health emergency can reach every corner of the country—especially affecting households already struggling to put nutritious food on the table.
The Grocery Ripple: How a Parasite Impacts Food Prices
When livestock production falters, the effects aren’t confined to farms or rural towns—they echo through the national food supply chain. With the USDA suspending cattle imports from Mexico, America’s largest supplier of live cattle, the market is already feeling the strain. Fewer cattle entering the U.S. means tighter domestic supply, creating pressure on meat processors and grocery distributors to meet demand. As noted in Economic Times, this rapidly unfolding situation is not just about disease containment—it’s also about stabilizing the consumer market before price volatility worsens.
For consumers, particularly those in low-income communities, even modest increases in beef and poultry prices can lead to tough choices at the grocery store. A family that once relied on ground beef or chicken as affordable sources of protein may now turn to processed alternatives—often higher in sodium and preservatives, but cheaper by the pound. This is how outbreaks in agriculture lead not just to economic concerns, but to nutritional insecurity.
The Invisible Cost for Low-Income Households
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices have already been trending upward, driven by inflation and global supply disruptions. Now, the screwworm crisis adds yet another unpredictable element. As protein staples become more expensive, families already living paycheck-to-paycheck are often the first to feel the burden. The strain doesn’t just hit their wallets—it affects their health, energy, and well-being.
Food insecurity is about more than whether there is food—it’s also about whether families can afford the food they need. When beef prices spike, the gap between caloric sufficiency and nutritional adequacy widens. As AP News recently reported, food banks across the country are already experiencing increased demand due to rising costs, and the ripple effect of agricultural threats like the screwworm could worsen this trend.
What’s at Risk Beyond the Ranch
It’s easy to think of this crisis as one affecting only ranchers and government agencies—but the truth is, the broader economy is at stake. Supply chains rely on predictability, and the reemergence of a parasite that targets livestock throws that stability into question. Meatpacking plants may face slowdowns, distributors may deal with sourcing challenges, and institutions like schools, prisons, and hospitals could face increased procurement costs.
Even industries beyond food production can be affected. For example, livestock feed costs could rise, trucking routes may shift due to quarantine zones, and small-scale producers might be forced out of the market entirely if their animals fall victim to infestation. The economic fragility of the food system, once exposed, becomes a public issue—and one that hits underserved communities hardest.
Biosecurity Is Food Security
While the threat may sound unusual, the U.S. government is treating it with appropriate urgency. To stay ahead of a full-blown outbreak, the USDA is investing $8.5 million in a new facility near the Texas-Mexico border to breed sterile screwworm flies—a technique that helped eradicate the parasite decades ago. This innovative solution, called the sterile insect technique (SIT), involves releasing millions of non-reproductive male flies into the wild, interrupting the parasite’s life cycle and collapsing populations over time. As AP News reports, the facility aims to produce up to 300 million sterile flies each week, representing a critical frontline defense in protecting the U.S. food system.
But the screwworm isn’t just a pest. It’s a reminder that biosecurity is directly linked to food security. In a globalized and climate-sensitive world, the conditions that lead to outbreaks—whether viral, bacterial, or parasitic—are becoming more common. Livestock health crises don’t just affect ranchers; they reverberate through transportation systems, retail pricing, public health costs, and ultimately, people’s plates.
Raising Awareness and Building Resilience
Most families won’t read about the screwworm on the nightly news, but they may notice the results—higher grocery bills, fewer affordable protein options, and stretched household budgets. For many communities already dealing with rising rents, transportation costs, and healthcare expenses, the added burden of climbing food prices can become overwhelming.
This is why awareness matters. Understanding the broader factors that influence food insecurity—from climate disruptions to agricultural pests—allows advocates, policy leaders, and everyday citizens to push for smarter, more sustainable solutions. Biosecurity investments, equitable food pricing policies, and protections for small-scale farmers all play a role in maintaining a stable food supply.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Food Security Advocates
At Feed America, we believe fighting hunger means staying ahead of every threat—whether it's economic, environmental, or biological. The return of the New World Screwworm reminds us that food insecurity is shaped by a complex web of factors, many of which are outside a family's control. When livestock are at risk, food prices rise. When prices rise, vulnerable families suffer first.
As this situation unfolds, we remain committed to supporting policies and practices that protect food affordability, promote resilience, and safeguard the nutrition that every American deserves. The fight against hunger is evolving—and so must the solutions.
