When screwworm flies infest livestock, they cripple entire economies. The recent U.S emergency authorizations against screwworms show how quickly countries must act when biosecurity is at risk. West Africa (Senegal, Guinea, Gambia) records past screwworm outbreaks but these regions remain vulnerable due to porous borders, growing regional trade, high livestock density and limited veterinary access in rural zones.
Unlike the U.S., which deployed sterile fly technology and emergency drug approvals to contain screwworm outbreaks, Africa lacks coordinated systems for early detection and rapid response without regional surveillance and investment in eradication tools, screwworms could silently spread across borders, crippling livestock and rural economies.
African regional bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for animal Resources (AU-IBAR) could adopt context specific strategies in Africa that will not only protect animal health but safeguard food security, farmer livelihood and trade stability. These solutions will only succeed if backed by political will, regional coordination and sustained investment.
Call to Action: Governments must treat animal health as a pillar of national security, as outlined in the Animal Health Strategy for Africa (2019-2035) while donors and development partners support the capacity building and infrastructure needed to operationalize these tools. Without this foundation, even the best plans risk collapsing when the next outbreak hits.
Screwworms may be small but pose a serious threat. West Africa stands at a critical juncture: either react to future crises or invest now in resilient biosecurity infrastructure. By learning from global best practices and committing to regional preparedness, Africa can safeguard its livestock, its people, and its economic future.
