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New World Screwworm

New World Screwworm

August 1, 2026

New World Screwworm (NWS) was detected in June in Texas and subsequently in New Mexico. The fly, previously eliminated in the U.S. in 1966, presents a substantial hazard to livestock.

(NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the tissue of warm blooded  animals. This can cause severe wounding and left untreated can kill an animal in 7-10 days. This parasite is a threat on a number of fronts. Primarily, the fly is a threat to human and animal health, but equally as important, the fly is an economic threat. An outbreak can have devastating effects for a farm or ranch operation by increasing costs to account for treatment. Disruptions to production can also cause food supply inconsistencies and impact local rural economies.

According to the USDA New World Screwworm Confirmed Detections Dashboard, there are 34 total domestic animal cases in the United States. These cases are so far contained in south western Texas and south eastern New Mexico. Lea County, New Mexico had one reported case on June 7, 2026 but the case has since been classified as inactive. The infected animal has made a full recovery according to a local veterinarian.

Vigilant monitoring for NWS has never been more important. The State of New Mexico has created a website to help people navigate  information and resources about the outbreak. The website includes important resources like a preparedness sheet for transporting animals to fairs, information on how to identify NWS and links to reporting portals.

At this time, financial assistance does not appear to be available for farmers and ranchers directly impacted by NWS.

The New Mexico Congressional Delegation has written to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins urging USDA to address the outbreak. The full
text of the letters can be found below.