New World Screwworm at TX border

[Gouge, Dawn H - (dhgouge)]

[Header-Hybrid]

Office of Communications  |  press at usda.gov<mailto:press at usda.gov>

Mexico Confirms Case of New World Screwworm in Nuevo Leon
________________________________

(Washington, D.C., September 21, 2025) – Hours ago, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) confirmed a new case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Sabinas Hidalgo, located in the state of Nuevo León, less than 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
This is now the northernmost detection of NWS during this outbreak, and the one most threatening to the American cattle and livestock industry. Sabinas Hidalgo is located near the major highway from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, to Laredo, Texas, which is one of the most heavily trafficked commercial thoroughfares in the world.
"Protecting the United States from NWS is non-negotiable and a top priority of the Trump Administration,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “This is a national security priority. We have given Mexico every opportunity and every resource necessary to counter NWS since announcing the NWS Bold Plan in June 2025. Nevertheless, American ranchers and families should know that we will not rely on Mexico to defend our industry, our food supply, or our way of life. We are firmly executing our five-pronged plan and will take decisive action to protect our borders, even in the absence of cooperation. Furthermore, we will pursue aggressive measures against anyone who harms American livestock.”
The previous northernmost detection was reported on July 9, 2025, in Veracruz, approximately 370 miles farther south. Preliminary reports from SENASICA indicate that the affected animal—an 8-month-old cow—had recently been moved to a certified feedlot in Nuevo León from a region in southern Mexico with known active NWS cases. The potential link to animal movement underscores the non-negotiable need for Mexico to fully implement and comply with the U.S.–Mexico Joint Action Plan for NWS in Mexico.
Currently, U.S. ports remain closed to imports of cattle, bison, and horses from Mexico.
Since July, USDA alongside Mexico, has been actively monitoring nearly 8,000 traps across Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. To date, more than 13,000 screening samples have been submitted, with no NWS flies detected. USDA is analyzing all new information related to the recent case in Nuevo León and will pursue all options to release sterile flies in this region as necessary.
In addition, USDA will soon release a significant plan to help rebuild the American cattle supply, incentivizing our great ranchers, and driving a full-scale revitalization of the American beef industry. This is only the beginning with many more announcements coming this week as USDA restores American strength, protects food security, and supports America’s ranchers and farmers.
USDA Leads An Aggressive National Response
Under the decisive leadership of Secretary Rollins, USDA has made substantial progress in implementing its sweeping, five-prong plan<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.usda.gov%2Fabout-usda%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases%2F2025%2F06%2F18%2Fsecretary-rollins-announces-bold-plan-combat-new-world-screwworms-northward-spread%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001996f5b905f-97d9f905-6a34-4cff-b29b-63ad4c5e1f93-000000/qFsEp2E2MwrfOaWKSaHFV4jCpPlx2tvAtYZlEFPrWhI=423> to protect the nation’s livestock, wildlife, and public health from the growing threat of NWS. This effort reflects the Trump administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding America’s agricultural economy and food security through a unified, whole-of-government response.
USDA serves as the lead coordinating agency, deploying advanced surveillance systems; ramping up domestic preparedness; investing in innovative detection, control, and response tools and strategies; and supporting robust cross-border response efforts in Mexico and Central America to combat the pest and push it away from the United States. USDA’s comprehensive strategy includes the following immediate actions:

  1.  Innovating Our Way to Eradication

  *   USDA is investing $100 million in breakthrough technologies through the NWS Grand Challenge, which will solicit ideas to enhance sterile fly production and develop new tools such as advanced traps, lures, and therapeutics.
  *   USDA is also exploring and validating technologies like e-beam and x-ray sterilization, genetically engineered flies, and modular sterilization facilities through public listening sessions and ongoing evaluations.

  1.  Protecting the U.S. Border

  *   USDA has begun construction on a domestic sterile fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Force Base in Edinburg, Texas. This $8.5 million facility, expected to be substantially complete by the end of 2025, will be capable of dispersing up to 100 million sterile flies per week.
  *   Planning is also underway with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for construction of a domestic sterile fly production facility in Southern Texas, with a projected capacity of 300 million sterile flies per week.

  1.  Strengthening Surveillance and Detection

  *   Since July, USDA alongside Mexico, has been actively monitoring nearly 8,000 traps across Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. To date, more than 13,000 screening samples have been submitted, with no NWS flies detected.
  *   USDA continues to disperse 100 million sterile flies per week in Mexico, sourced from the COPEG facility in Panama. USDA is providing support to Mexico to renovate a production facility in Metapa, which is expected to produce an additional 60–100 million sterile flies.

  1.  Enhancing Public Awareness and Education

  *   APHIS has published an updated national disease response strategy <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.aphis.usda.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fnws-myiasis-disease-strategy.pdf%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001996f5b905f-97d9f905-6a34-4cff-b29b-63ad4c5e1f93-000000/QsRJ0V1GJaMTmXrEHlEI-oCGNuhprGQPADfYmdinWJc=423> and is providing training and webinars for federal, state, Tribal, and veterinary partners.
  *   Outreach materials<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.aphis.usda.gov%2Flivestock-poultry-disease%2Fcattle%2Fticks%2Fscrewworm%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%23modal-link-nws-outreach/1/010001996f5b905f-97d9f905-6a34-4cff-b29b-63ad4c5e1f93-000000/Ql-F3sbeG5RtFUD9J8IuupMqtB7ZWtmfh2KXBcEcHmw=423>, including pest ID cards and alerts, are being distributed along the U.S.–Mexico border. APHIS has held over 50 stakeholder meetings and continues to expand outreach efforts.

  1.  Coordinating with Mexico and International Partners

  *   Following detections in Oaxaca and Veracruz, USDA closed southern ports of entry to livestock trade after a case was reported 370 miles from the U.S. border.
  *   USDA is conducting monthly audits of Mexico’s NWS response and is helping Mexico develop a more risk-based trapping plan, especially in Veracruz and along the border. Mexico currently deploys traps in high-risk areas, with USDA support.
  *   USDA is supporting hiring of over 200 surge staff for trapping and animal movement control in Mexico.
  *   SENASICA has launched a dashboard<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Fdata=05%257C02%257Cheather.l.curlett%2540usda.gov%257C99f3c44dece74ef69ceb08ddf152ce31%257Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%257C1%257C0%257C638932060124447260%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26reserved=0%26sdata=Dkgw7SFOhjL1tcw9p9S0lpp6FcU2%252Ff%252BNmZJ5WUpUajA%253D%26url=https%253A%252F%252Fapp.powerbi.com%252Fview%253Fr%253DeyJrIjoiMjkzMzAzMzUtZmRlNi00ZTMzLTk1NDEtNjkzZTEwNzZjZGFlIiwidCI6ImM1OWRjNTZhLTkzZWMtNGIwNy1iNzFkLTQzYzg0NDkyNTcxOCIsImMiOjR9%2526utm_medium%253Demail%2526utm_source%253Dgovdelivery%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001996f5b905f-97d9f905-6a34-4cff-b29b-63ad4c5e1f93-000000/ggAQDtAbxkQvXXjXMKhhzNoB1R4pYswZVxKdKxghp0k=423> that tracks NWS cases across Mexico. This tool significantly enhances USDA’s ability to monitor the situation south of the border, better assess risk, and deliver more effective operational responses in coordination with Mexican authorities.

Unprecedented Interagency Collaboration
USDA is working in close partnership with the following federal agencies to ensure a unified national response.

  *   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is leading human health surveillance and response, providing diagnostic support, educating healthcare providers, and coordinating One Health efforts across federal, state, and international partners.
  *   Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working to ensure veterinarians, farmers, and animal health officials have timely access to the tools they need to protect pets, livestock, and the nation’s food supply by authorizing the emergency use of certain animal drugs to treat or prevent infestations caused by the New World Screwworm (NWS). In addition, on August 19, FDA issued a declaration that enables Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for animal drugs to treat or prevent infestations caused by the New World Screwworm (NWS).
  *   Department of the Interior (DOI) is ensuring wildlife surveillance and environmental compliance, particularly on federal lands.
  *   Department of Energy (DoE) is exploring and validating new sterilization technologies to enhance our ability to combat NWS.
  *   Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is supporting surveillance, intelligence sharing, and emergency planning, including training Customs and Border Protection and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement personnel to identify and respond to NWS cases.
  *   Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expediting pesticide approvals and supporting emergency exemptions.

  *   Department of State (DoS) is leading diplomatic engagement to combat NWS by coordinating with host governments and interagency partners to share information, align technical assistance, and deliver consistent messaging.

This collaboration is guided by the U.S. One Health Coordination Unit for NWS (U.S. OHCU–NWS), co-led by USDA, CDC, and DOI. Together, these agencies are executing a phased response strategy that includes early detection, rapid containment, and long-term eradication efforts.
What You Can Do
NWS maggots can infest livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including people. They most often enter an animal through an open wound and feed on the animal’s living flesh.
USDA urges residents on the southern border to check their pets and livestock for signs of NWS. Look for draining or enlarging wounds and signs of discomfort. Also look for screwworm larvae (maggots) and eggs in or around body openings, such as the nose, ears, and genitalia or the navel of newborn animals. If you suspect your animal is infected with screwworm, contact your state animal health official or USDA area veterinarian<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.aphis.usda.gov%2Fcontact%2Fanimal-health%3Ffilter=report%2Bsick%2Bor%2Bdead%2Blivestock%2Bor%2Bpoultry%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001996f5b905f-97d9f905-6a34-4cff-b29b-63ad4c5e1f93-000000/1QFqhia9dzgxmPy4N1kGvlDRhsrTVKp9nObE1v-Wzmo=423> immediately.
While not common in people, if you notice a suspicious lesion on your body or suspect you may have contracted screwworm, seek immediate medical attention.
Learn more about NWS on the APHIS website<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.aphis.usda.gov%2Flivestock-poultry-disease%2Fcattle%2Fticks%2Fscrewworm%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001996f5b905f-97d9f905-6a34-4cff-b29b-63ad4c5e1f93-000000/SOeskFY9epgWFMtENNCESGzBe9tv4guRE93Ro8cLMRc=423>
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Dawn H. Gouge PhD – pronounced Goosh (she/her) - Please do not feel obligated to respond out of your normal working hours. Please be assured that I respect different working patterns and time zones and look forward to your response when you are next at work and able to reply.

Interim Associate Director for Agriculture & Natural Resources - Cooperative Extension
Medical Entomology Professor &  IPM Specialist - Department of Entomology

University of Arizona, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences.
MAC Experiment Station, 37860 West Smith-Enke Road, Maricopa, AZ 85138.
Office 520-374-6223; Mobile 602-418-5202; Fax 520-374-6394
dhgouge at arizona.edu<mailto:dhgouge at arizona.edu>

Medical Entomology: Preventing illness and injury in the future, and saving lives today!

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. The University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.

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“It is not the strongest of the species that survives,
Not the most intelligent that survives.
It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

  *   Charles Darwin

From: Gouge, Dawn H - (dhgouge)
Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2025 7:05 PM
To: Ganguli, Amy Christine - (amyganguli) <amyganguli at arizona.edu<mailto:amyganguli at arizona.edu>>
Subject: RE: Introduction and request for a meeting

Hello Amy,
Welcome to the University of Arizona, your hire has been much anticipating with lots of enthusiasm.

I am glad you got to attend the Public Lands Council Meeting you may have met Andrew Brischke (Mohave County Extension Director and Rangeland Agent) as I believe Andrew also attended.

I am very glad you can get to EDEN; I very much wanted to attend but have an Arizona Public Health meeting the very same week that I absolutely have to attend. I have indeed just joined the group and very much need to connect you with the UA ALIRT team (https://extension.arizona.edu/programs/arizona-livestock-incident-response-team part of EDEN who are engaged in preparing for New World Screwworm).

Unfortunately, I do not have a recording of the last meeting but would like to add you to that group so you get meeting invitations and notifications. A PDF of the slides shared by one of the presenters is attached.

My lab is not on the Tucson campus but at one of our Experiment Station sites in the town of Maricopa. I do visit campus often on Tuesdays for morning Administration meetings and would be delighted to meet on the first opportunity. My schedule is rather overstuffed currently with meetings and out of state travel for the next three weeks. The next time I am in Tucson will be Oct 13th. We could lunch maybe or meet just after. If any of the current meetings are cancelled, we may be able to Zoom meet, and I’ll let you know if that happens.

Best wishes and I look forward to working with you 😊, Dawn.

Dawn H. Gouge PhD – pronounced Goosh (she/her) - Please do not feel obligated to respond out of your normal working hours. Please be assured that I respect different working patterns and time zones and look forward to your response when you are next at work and able to reply.

Interim Associate Director for Agriculture & Natural Resources - Cooperative Extension
Medical Entomology Professor &  IPM Specialist - Department of Entomology

University of Arizona, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences.
MAC Experiment Station, 37860 West Smith-Enke Road, Maricopa, AZ 85138.
Office 520-374-6223; Mobile 602-418-5202; Fax 520-374-6394
dhgouge at arizona.edu<mailto:dhgouge at arizona.edu>

Medical Entomology: Preventing illness and injury in the future, and saving lives today!

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. The University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.

[cid:image003.png at 01DC2BAB.6A7EF760]


“It is not the strongest of the species that survives,
Not the most intelligent that survives.
It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

  *   Charles Darwin

From: Ganguli, Amy Christine - (amyganguli) <amyganguli at arizona.edu<mailto:amyganguli at arizona.edu>>
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2025 4:25 PM
To: Gouge, Dawn H - (dhgouge) <dhgouge at arizona.edu<mailto:dhgouge at arizona.edu>>
Subject: Introduction and request for a meeting

Dear Dr. Gouge,

I am the new Rangeland Extension Specialist and Marley Endowed Chair in SNRE. My original start date was supposed to be on the 29th but due to a wonderful opportunity to represent U of A in a meeting with the Chief of the Forest Service I started on Monday and promptly hit the road to get to Flagstaff for the Public Lands Council Meeting.

Are you available for a visit this coming week so that I meet you and discuss your interest with the EDEN group. I intend to attend the Fall meeting and after talking to Angie Lindsey (from U. Florida) she told me that you have recently been engaged with the group.

I will be available to meet Monday - Wednesday of next week if you have time. Also, I was notified that you hosted a webinar yesterday (fur, fish, and feathers) and I was wondering if there is a recording for that meeting that you may share.

I am really excited to be here and ready to hit the ground running.

Sincerely,

Amy Ganguli
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