The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly larva that feeds on the living tissue of animals, causing severe wounds and infections. Once eradicated from the United States in the 1950s, it has recently been detected in Texas and New Mexico, raising concerns about its potential spread northward. This resurgence poses a threat not only to livestock but also to wildlife, pets, and potentially humans. In response, officials are reviving eradication strategies that were successful in the past, including the use of sterile insects, pesticides, and quarantines. To better track and predict the movement of the screwworm, researchers from the University of California San Diego and the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency have developed a new tool—a dashboard that estimates the risk of screwworm infestations in individual counties. This dashboard integrates data from confirmed cases, environmental conditions, and news media reports to provide a more comprehensive view of the threat. While currently accessible only to public health officials and project partners, the researchers hope to eventually make the tool available to the public. The New World screwworm is unique because it targets living tissue rather than dead or decaying material. Female flies lay their eggs in open wounds or natural body openings, and the larvae burrow into the flesh, causing severe damage and increasing the risk of secondary infections. While human infections are rare, the parasite can spread as adult flies travel long distances or as infected animals move to new areas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is leading a multi-pronged eradication campaign that includes releasing sterile insects to reduce the population, applying pesticides, and implementing quarantines. The USDA is also seeking approval to use a genetically modified all-male strain of the screwworm, which is currently being tested in the field. In parallel, researchers at UC San Diego are developing next-generation genetic technologies to enhance future control efforts. The development of the screwworm dashboard was part of Resilient Shield, a UC San Diego initiative funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This initiative focuses on creating practical tools to address urgent public health challenges. One of the dashboard’s innovative features is its inclusion of news media coverage, which can help detect threats earlier than traditional reporting systems, allowing for quicker responses to emerging risks.