Atomic Lab Sounds Alarm on Screwworm Spread Across the Americas

A key international nuclear lab helping to eradicate the New World screwworm says more sterile flies and better coordination with southern neighbors are needed to prevent the deadly parasite from spreading across North America.

The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency said Thursday it’s coordinating a new project to stem the outbreak threatening billions of dollars in damages for ranchers in the US. The coordinated research project aims to improve tools for detecting and combating the parasitic fly, and comes as growing cases in Texas add urgency to containment efforts.

The agency was part of efforts over four decades to drive ...