Education

UF receives $9.5M donation for livestock disease research amid screwworm spread

The University of Florida has received a $9.5 million gift from the Earls family, longtime Florida residents, to fund research into insect-borne infections that affect livestock and pets. The donation comes as the New World screwworm, a parasite that causes suffering and death in animals, has been detected in Texas and New Mexico. North Central Florida’s agricultural communities could face significant strain if the pest spreads further.

Sources: WCJB TV20