THE PROBLEM OF SCREWWORM, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel, 1858), IN COLOMBIA

The new world screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax, in larval stage is an obligate parasite of mammals and humans, causing traumatic myiasis. The female fly mates once in in its lifespan, whereas the male mates several times. Accordingly eradication efforts were established in the 1950’s, using male sterilization. Screwworm eradication has been successful in North and Central America, including some Caribbean islands. However, South America is still infested. Economic costs, the length of the program, and undesirable side effects of the screwworm eradication program led to a search for alternatives control measures. The initiation of screwworm eradication in Colombia could encounter geographical, political, and mainly economical problems. This program in Colombia would require the economic support and collaboration of the USDA, organizations of international cooperation, health authorities, academic institutions, and livestock producers. Priorities for screwworm research in Colombia should be biology, epidemiology and population dynamics, together with improvement of survey methods and control technologies. The achievement of studies for establishing technical, political, economical, and environmental viability of screwworm eradication is recommended. After these data are accumulated, a commission must be assembled with public and private organizations in order to determine the real cost and benefits of eradication.