Animal Health Australia manages the Screw-Worm Fly Surveillance and Preparedness Program (SWFSPP).
Screw-worm fly (SWF) is an insect pest of warm blooded animals including people, livestock and wildlife. There are two commonly known screw-worm flies:
- Old world screw-worm fly (OWS) – Chrysomya bezziana
- New world screw-worm fly (NWS) – Cochliomyia hominivorax.
SWF is not present in Australia but does occur in neighbouring countries to the north.
Objectives of the SWFSPP are to:
- Conduct targeted surveillance for SWF nationally (fly trapping and livestock myiasis monitoring).
- Promote awareness to animal health stakeholders of the risk to Australia from SWF and an understanding of how to support the surveillance system.
- Monitor Australia’s SWF entomology capability and capacity and provide training if required.
- Provide a national forum/committee to monitor and address Australia’s SWF risk profile and incursion preparedness, through the SWFSPP and by complementing the national animal health system.
