The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), alongside State partners in Texas and New Mexico, continues to lead an aggressive response to New World screwworm (NWS) in the United States.
USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed a new case of NWS in a calf in La Salle County, Texas, bringing the total cases of NWS in the United States to five. USDA is working closely with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to respond and further investigate the case. The joint federal–state field teams have already expanded surveillance and response measures in the area.
USDA and TAHC are conducting a coordinated response that includes:
- Joint epidemiological investigations and case tracing
- Additional surveillance, testing, and trapping in the affected areas
- Releasing sterile insects and adjusting these operations as needed for the most effective coverage
- Conducting outreach to animal owners
- Ongoing coordination with local officials, veterinarians, ranchers, and community partners
The U.S. food supply remains safe. NWS does not infest meat, fruits, vegetables, or other food products. Any affected animal would be identified during USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service inspection, and no contaminated product would enter commerce.
Additional updates and resources are available at Screwworm.gov.
USDA APHIS update
Comments