When it comes to New World Screwworm, University of Minnesota Extension Livestock Veterinarian Dr. Angela Varnum says states like Minnesota and North Dakota have significant natural advantages. “We have that advantage of distance and we also have the advantage of our northern winters, which will significantly disrupt uncontrolled spread,” said Varnum. “We know that the larvae can travel wherever they like during the warmer summer months and so we shouldn’t be surprised if we see isolated cases in Minnesota from travel-associated reasons. However, we are not in the same risk category as the Southern U.S.”
