Researchers in California, including Dr. Murillo, have launched a statewide monitoring program to prevent the return of the New World screwworm, a dangerous parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue and can severely harm livestock and occasionally humans. Led by scientists at the University of California, Riverside and funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the program uses specialized traps with scent lures to detect the flies early if they reappear. The effort also includes outreach to veterinarians, livestock producers, and researchers to improve awareness and reporting. Early detection is critical because California’s large agricultural and dairy industries would be especially vulnerable if the screwworm became re-established after decades of eradication in the United States.