A confirmed detection of New World Screwworm was found recently in Zavala County, Texas. In a post on X, Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, said “The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Animal Health officials are taking immediate action to contain and eradicate NWS from the area.” Secretary Rollins also spoke on the measures currently being implemented to exterminate NWS, …
Current Response Actions To Address New World Screwworm
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins provided an update on the New World Screwworm response on Tuesday where she discussed what would happen if a detection were to occur in the United States. “We are preparing to implement the very moment the fly makes it into our country. If we have a domestic detection USDA and relevant state animal health …
New World Screwworm Detections Inching Closer to US-Mexico Border
New World Screwworm is inching closer to the U.S.-Mexico border with new reported detections over the past week. According to screwworm.gov, the latest detections of screwworm have been reported within 100 miles this past week, with the closest being approximately 31 miles from the border. Generally, the detections have been confirmed affecting cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, and dogs, with all …
USDA Opens State-of-the-Art Livestock Insect Lab
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service has opened the Knippling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville, Texas. In a press release posted by the USDA, the goal of the facility is to “provide the U.S. cattle industry with innovative tools and advanced technologies to manage and eliminate the invasive fly and tick pests that threaten the …
FDA Approves NWS Drug for use in Dairy Cattle
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a recent Emergency Use Authorization for Dectomax CA-1for the prevention and treatment of New World Screwworm in Dairy Cattle. The authorization of Dectomax CA-1, which is sponsored by Zoetis, includes emergency use in dairy cattle including lactating dairy cows, dry dairy cows, replacement dairy heifers 20 months of age and older, but excludes …
Texas Senate Committee Hosts Panel on New World Screwworm
The Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs hosted a panel of experts during a hearing this week on New World Screwworm. Panelists for the hearing included Deputy Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins, Texas Parks and Wildlife Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Texas A&M University Entomology Department Head Phillip Kaufman, and Dr. TR Lansford, DVM and …
USDA APHIS Announces Shift in NWS Sterile Fly Dispersal Area
The Texas Animal Health Commission reported on Facebook last week that USDA APHIS announced another shift in the dispersal area for sterile flies in a precautionary effort in the fight against New World Screwworm from entering the U.S. While there has been no detections of New World Screwworm in the United States, the Texas Animal Health Commission says that these …
USDA Announces Investment To Address Plant Pests and Diseases
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced an investment of funding to support projects to address plant pests and diseases. The announcement included more than $90 million under Section 7721 of the Plant Protection Act and includes 441 projects that “ will strengthen the nation’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to invasive plant pests and diseases; safeguard the U.S. nursery …
FDA Issues Emergency Approval for Topical Powder For NWS Prevention and Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for a topical powder to prevent and treat New World Screwworm infestations. According to the FDA, “The FDA has concluded that based on the scientific evidence available, it is reasonable to believe that Negasunt Powder may be effective for the prevention and treatment of NWS myiasis in cattle, …
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Issues Emergency Rule To Address NWS
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued an emergency rule late last week that put temporary restrictions on the importation of animals from five counties in South Texas. The movement restrictions are being put in place now that the latest detections of New World Screwworm are within 125 miles of the border. These restrictions require all animals imported into Florida …








