A new case of New World screwworm has been identified in a cow in Otero County, state and federal agriculture officials announced Wednesday evening.
The case is New Mexico’s fifth since the parasitic fly made its return to the United States this summer after being largely eradicated from the nation decades earlier. Previous cases in New Mexico were found in a Lea County dog, as well as two horses and a calf in Grant County.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has since June confirmed more than 50 cases of New World screwworm across New Mexico and Texas. The federal agency on Wednesday identified its first screwworm case in wildlife, found in an elk in Pecos County, Texas.
The new screwworm infestation comes the day after U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced plans to reopen the Columbus, N.M., port to livestock trade, which is set to begin Monday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reopened the Santa Teresa port in September.
Livestock officials have established an “infested zone” with a radius of at least 12.4 miles around each of the animals’ locations. Within these zones, animals must be inspected and, if necessary, treated before being moved in or out of the area.
“This is a critical time as we move toward cooler weather. Cold daytime temperatures can slow screwworm activity, but the risk is not completely eliminated,” New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte said in a statement. “Strong surveillance and continued coordination with our state and federal partners will help us detect new cases early and limit impacts through the fall and into next spring.”
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture advised owners to closely monitor their animals for wounds that fail to heal, worsening injuries, foul-smelling discharge or unusual irritation. Anyone who suspects an animal may have a New World screwworm infestation should contact the New Mexico Livestock Board and avoid moving the animal.
Margaret O’Hara reports on issues affecting healthy communities in New Mexico. Her work is funded by a grant from Anchorum Health Foundation. Anchorum will not have any role in editorial decisions. The New Mexican and its Public Service Journalism Fund retain full editorial control. Philanthropically funded stories by The New Mexican are made available to all readers without a paywall.
