New World screwworm zone in New Mexico released by USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has approved the release of the New World screwworm (NWS) infested zone in New Mexico. This decision follows the state’s successful response to the first and only detected case of NWS myiasis in a dog on June 7. No additional cases have been detected since that time, and officials confirmed that New Mexico met all requirements for zone release.

While the New Mexico zone is being lifted, the parasitic fly remains a significant threat near the U.S. border. A case was recently detected in a sheep in Coahuila, Mexico, located approximately 31 miles from the United States. The resurgence of the parasite, which began in 2023, has caused over 144,000 animal cases and 1,100 human cases across the region.

The proximity of the parasite to the border has heightened concerns for the American cattle industry. A domestic outbreak could result in severe economic consequences, with USDA estimates suggesting potential losses of $1.8 billion for the Texas economy alone.