Overview
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on June 17 that 12 domestic animal infections have been confirmed since early June, with most cases in South Texas and one active case in Lea County, New Mexico.
- Federal agencies have activated emergency operations with the CDC opening its Emergency Operations Center and the FDA issuing an emergency use authorization for generic nitenpyram to treat companion animals.
- USDA announced roughly $105 million for 40 research and operational projects and approved a cooperative agreement to fund term inspectors in Texas to expand field surveillance and quarantine enforcement.
- The main control tool is the sterile insect technique and authorities have begun aerial and ground releases, but experts and officials say current sterile‑fly production is far short of needs and two new production plants are still under construction.
- Human infections remain rare and food safety is not considered at risk, yet owners must watch animals for nonhealing wounds because unchecked spread could harm livestock producers, prompt wider trade restrictions, and prolong costly eradication efforts.