DARPA TRANSPORTS A SIT RADIATOR TO COMBAT NEW WORLD SCREWWORM IN THE U.S. WITH THE HELP OF PANAMANIAN PARTNERS

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Southern Command issued the following press release:

A sterile insect technique irradiator arrived in Panama and was redirected in response to support the U.S. in the New World Screwworm threat under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on July 8, 2026 in the Panama Canal, Panama. The effort highlights the importance of international partnerships in addressing threats that cross borders and affect animal health, agriculture and communities.

NWS is a parasite that comes from a fly that lays its eggs in the flesh of warm blooded animals. "The larvae, or maggots, burrow in and feast on the flesh", said Jon O'Rullian, president of the Foss Therapy Services, Incorporated, the com...