Two new cases of New World screwworm have been identified in Grant County, state and federal agriculture officials announced Thursday evening.
One infestation was found in a horse and the other in a calf.
The cases are New Mexico’s third and fourth since the sometimes-deadly pest 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 and a Grant County horse.
“We are working closely with our state and federal partners to investigate these cases, increase surveillance and monitor for additional infestations,” State Veterinarian Samantha Holeck said in a statement.
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 within or out of the area.
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture advised animal owners to closely monitor their critters 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.
“We appreciate the continued cooperation of livestock producers, veterinarians and animal owners as we respond to these additional cases,” New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte said in a statement. “Early detection and prompt reporting are critical to limiting the spread of this pest. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and work closely with animal health officials.”
Common in the Caribbean and Central America, the New World screwworm flies’ larvae burrow into the flesh of warm-blooded creatures such as livestock, pets, wildlife and, in rare cases, people, causing painful and putrid wounds.
The pest, effectively eliminated from the U.S. in the 1960s, crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in June. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has since identified 55 animal infestations across New Mexico and Texas, including the two new cases in Grant County.
Hundreds of other cases are active in the Mexican border states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas.
To combat the pest, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has greatly increased efforts to breed and disperse sterile screwworm flies, which can’t produce the larvae that would be harmful.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, meanwhile, has issued emergency-use authorizations for medications to prevent and treat New World screwworm infestations in cattle, sheep, goats, horses, birds, dogs and cats.
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.
