Ciscomani Announces $3.74 Million USDA Grant to University of Arizona to Strengthen Arizona’s Preparedness Against New World Screwworm

Tucson, AZ - Congressman Juan Ciscomani today announced that the University of Arizona has been awarded a $3.74 million Grand Challenge Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen Arizona's preparedness for New World screwworm, a parasitic pest that poses a serious threat to livestock, wildlife, companion animals, and rural economies.

New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae burrow into and feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing severe wounds that can become life-threatening if not quickly detected and treated. The pest was previously eradicated from the United States through a coordinated binational effort between the U.S. and Mexico that used sterile fly release, surveillance, and public awareness campaigns.

The new grant will support expanded research, surveillance, education, and outreach efforts across Arizona, while advancing innovative detection and monitoring tools to improve early identification and rapid response capabilities. The project will also support coordination among producers, veterinarians, researchers, and state and federal partners to strengthen statewide readiness. Key stakeholders like the Arizona Cattle Growers Association will help support statewide deployment.

The initiative will complement ongoing efforts by the Arizona Department of Agriculture and will help equip livestock producers, animal health professionals, and rural communities with improved tools to detect and respond to potential outbreaks.

As part of the project, the University of Arizona will also conduct economic and risk assessments to better understand the potential impact of New World screwworm on Arizona's livestock industry and rural economy, as well as evaluate response strategies, including the feasibility of an Arizona-based sterile fly production and distribution facility.

The project, known as PREP-NWS (Preparedness through Research, Extension, and Stakeholder Partnerships), brings together experts in veterinary diagnostics, entomology, agriculture, wildlife health, economics, and Cooperative Extension to build a coordinated statewide preparedness network.

Key areas of focus include improving early detection and diagnostic capacity, expanding surveillance through new technologies, enhancing livestock monitoring tools, and strengthening forecasting models to identify areas of elevated risk. The initiative will also expand hands-on training and outreach programs to help producers and animal health professionals recognize and respond to potential infestations.

In a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting this grant, Congressman Ciscomani emphasized the importance of proactive investment in protecting Arizona's agricultural economy and rural communities from emerging biological threats.

"Arizona's ranchers, veterinarians, and rural communities are on the front lines of protecting our livestock industry, and they deserve every tool, every resource, and every advantage we can provide," said Congressman Juan Ciscomani. "This investment ensures we are not simply reacting to threats after they arrive. We are building the research, technology, and coordinated partnerships needed to detect New World screwworm early, respond quickly and effectively, and prevent a potential outbreak from becoming a full-scale crisis that would harm Arizona families, producers, and our rural economy."

This grant advocated for by Rep. Ciscomani has received great support from several Arizona community leaders:

"As our State Veterinarian's Office works hard to prepare Arizona for the New World screwworm, which we hope never makes it here, it is terrific to have a partner like the University of Arizona working alongside us," said Paul Brierley, director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture. "This is an example of the land grant engine revving up to bring innovative resources to livestock producers and the public in all 15 Arizona counties and 22 federally recognized tribes. University researchers worked closely with us to respond quickly to the call for proposals, and this funding will help power the all-hands-on-deck effort required to protect our livestock industry and once again push this pest out of our country."

"ACGA's extensive membership base and statewide relationships are key to this project. Our goal is to work alongside researchers, agencies and other stakeholders to help ensure the tools and tactics developed by the PREP-NWS team are based on feasible, real-world application," said Suzanne Menges, Executive Director of the Arizona Cattle Growers' Association. "The health of our animals is always top of mind to members of the cattle community, so we are very vested in this opportunity to protect our herds from this pest."

"Many foreign animal diseases are tested by PCR, a reliable technology that allows us to perform testing in volume much more efficiently," said Emily Janovyak, assistant director of the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. "This molecular platform is more agile and scalable. Instead of relying exclusively on experienced entomologists, we could leverage a wider pool of laboratory professionals well versed in PCR testing."

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