New World Screwworm Detected Closer To US Border: USDA Responds Swiftly to Livestock Threat
Courtesy of USDA/APHIS
The livestock industry is on high alert as the deadly New World Screwworm (NWS) moves closer to the United States. Over the weekend, the USDA confirmed the closest detection of the pest yet—just 70 miles from the US-Mexico border, marking a significant development in the ongoing outbreak.
US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins addressed the situation publicly, writing on X:
“While in AZ today, I was alerted by the Mexican government that a new case of New World Screwworm was detected less than 70 miles from our border, the closest detection yet. We have been assured that it was one case detected on an 8-month-old calf that was part of a 100-headherd transported from the south. But we are taking no chances. Let me be clear, protecting America’s livestock and food supply is non-negotiable. This is a top national security priority, and under the President’s leadership, USDA is fully executing our 5-point plan to keep NWS out of the United States. We will have more announcements as we learn more over the next 24 hours. To America’s ranchers: we are prepared, we are resourced, and we will act decisively to defend American agriculture. Stay tuned.”
The New World Screwworm outbreak has already prompted enhanced border inspections and a temporary halt on livestock imports. According to the USDA, the recent case was found in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, a municipality on a major highway that connects Monterrey, Mexico to Laredo, Texas—one of the busiest commercial routes in North America.
Previously, the nearest confirmed case was in Veracruz in July, roughly 370 miles south of the current detection. The infected animal, an 8-month-old cow, had been moved from a southern region of Mexico known for active screwworm infestations, as confirmed by Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality.
To date, US ports remain closed to cattle, bison, and horse imports from Mexico, as agencies on both sides of the border work to contain the spread. With a full deployment of resources and clear federal coordination, the USDA remains committed to protecting American agriculture, food supply, and livestock health.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.