CDC Activates Screwworm Emergency Response as Cases Increase

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has started taking emergency measures against New World screwworm after the dangerous parasitic infection was detected in cattle in the country for the first time in decades.

The Atlanta-based CDC activated a formal emergency response on Thursday after interim leader Jay Bhattacharya signed off on the plan, according to an internal document viewed by Bloomberg News. The move means the public health agency is assembling a team of career scientists to closely monitor the outbreak and coordinate with local health departments.

It’s typical for the CDC to make preparations for potential human ...