Ag News
USDA confirms New World Screwworm cases in Texas, New Mexico
Posted on Jun 10, 2026 at 14:52 PM
On June 3, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the first detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas, southwest of San Antonio near the U.S. border with Mexico.
NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock and economic losses.
The first affected animal was a 3-week-old calf and larvae were identified in its umbilical area. An additional five cases – four in Texas and one in New Mexico – had been confirmed as of June 9. Three of the additional cases were in cattle, one in a dog and one in a goat.
On June 5, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) implemented enhanced interstate movement health requirements for all warm-blooded animals, such as equine, livestock, and companion animals, entering Georgia following the detection of NWS in Texas and expanded the entry requirements on June 10 following the detection of NWS in New Mexico.
“As a farmer and cattle producer, I understand the concerns surrounding the recent detection of New World Screwworm in Texas. While there have been no detections in Georgia, this serves as an important reminder of the need for vigilance and preparedness,” said Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “The Georgia Department of Agriculture is actively monitoring the situation and working closely with our state and federal partners to protect animal health, support our producers, and safeguard Georgia’s #1 industry - agriculture. I encourage all Georgians to follow these mandatory animal movement requirements and stay informed as we continue to provide updates and guidance to help protect Georgia agriculture.”
Moving animals from an Affected Area to Georgia?
If you are bringing animals from the state of Texas visit bit.ly/tx-nws-zones to determine if you are in an NWS infested zone or an adjacent surveillance zone.
If you are coming from New Mexico, call 505-841-6161 to determine if you are coming from an Infested Zone or Outside an Infested Zone. As of June 10, affected New Mexico counties are: Eddy, Chaves, Lea and Roosevelt.
Then follow the appropriate instructions for animals coming from an Infested Zone or from Outside an Infested Zone from a listed state or county.
Visit https://agr.georgia.gov/new-world-screwworm for the latest information regarding requirements to bring animals from other states to Georgia and for the most up-to-date list of states, counties affected.
Animals Coming from an Infested Zone
Any warm-blooded animal entering Georgia from an area affected by New World Screwworm (NWS) must comply with the NWS National Animal Movement Guidance bit.ly/NWS-movement and obtain an entry permit from the Georgia Department of Agriculture at least 48 hours before entering the state.
To request an entry permit, email galivestockpermits@agr.georgia.gov.
Animals Coming from Outside an Infested Zone in a Listed State or County (Adjacent Surveillance Zones)
Warm-blooded animals imported into Georgia from outside an infested zone, but originating from an adjacent surveillance zone or a high-risk county, must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).
Animals must be inspected and found free of NWS. The CVI must be issued within seven days of travel and must certify that all listed animals were inspected and found free of NWS. It must also include the following statement: “All animals listed on the CVI have been inspected and are free from screwworm larvae infestation.”
To learn more about New World Screwworm (NWS) and determine whether you are importing animals from an infested zone, surveillance zone, or high-risk county, visit https://agr.georgia.gov/new-world-screwworm.
The USDA indicated it will continue to work with state departments of agriculture, animal health officials, industry, and producers to mitigate economic impacts of restrictions as much as possible, including negotiating with our trading partners to regionalize any trade restrictions on live animals, limiting them to defined geographic areas.
NWS maggots can infest livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including in rare cases people. They most often enter an animal through an open wound and feed on the animal’s living flesh.
USDA urges residents in the area to check their pets and livestock for signs of NWS. Look for draining or enlarging wounds and signs of discomfort. Also look for screwworm larvae (maggots) and eggs in or around body openings, such as the nose, ears, and genitalia or the navel of newborn animals. If you suspect your animal is infected with screwworm, contact your state animal health official or USDA area veterinarian in charge immediately.
While not common in people, if you notice a suspicious lesion on your body or suspect you may have contracted screwworm, seek immediate medical attention.
The U.S. food supply is safe. Screwworms do not infest meat, fruits, vegetables, or other food sources. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ensures that the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe and properly labeled. Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), FSIS inspection personnel must inspect all eligible animal species unless they are exempt or covered by a state inspection program.
Any evidence of screwworm infestation in an animal would be identified during these inspections, and any contaminated product from an affected animal would not be allowed to enter the food supply.
Learn more about New World screwworm at https://Screwworm.gov.
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