America forced to close borders due to fly threat

The United States of America has decided to temporarily close its southern border with Mexico. This time, the restrictions are not aimed at migration, but at a tropical insect — the American screwworm fly — which poses a serious threat to livestock.

This fly lays eggs on the animals’ bodies, and its larvae grow through wounds, causing significant harm. They can lead to pain, infections, and even death in animals. This, in turn, can result in major financial losses for farmers.

For several decades, the U.S. has fought this problem with its own method: mass breeding of sterile male flies, which are then released into the environment to mate with wild females. This method proved effective in the 1970s, and the spread of the tropical fly was halted in Panama.

However, at the end of 2024, a population of these flies was again detected in southern Mexico. Now they are moving toward the U.S. state of Texas. If they reach the area, it could cause serious damage to the meat industry, as happened in the past.

As a result, the U.S. government has temporarily halted all imports of live livestock from Mexico. The main goal is to prevent the fly from entering American territory.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the decision. According to her, the United States is exaggerating the threat under the pretext of protecting its meat market. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!