New World screwworm cases in U.S. rise to 25 

 The number of confirmed New World screwworm cases in the United States has risen to 25, with three cases reclassified as inactive as of June 26, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

All confirmed cases have been detected in domestic livestock. USDA has reported no cases in wildlife or feral animals, and no wild New World screwworm flies have been detected through trapping. 

The most recent animal detections were reported June 24, when USDA confirmed six new cases in Texas: one cattle case in Medina County, one sheep case in Edwards County and four sheep cases in Crockett County. The latest reports capped the busiest week since the first U.S. detection of NWS on June 3. 

The June 24 detections marked Medina County’s first confirmed case. Located west of San Antonio, the county was added to the Texas Animal Health Commission’s quarantine area along with portions of Bandera and Uvalde counties, effective June 24. 

The four new cases in Crockett County increased its total to five, while Edwards County reached six confirmed cases, the highest total reported by any county in Texas or the U.S. 

Texas remains the only state with active New World screwworm cases. The only other case was reported in New Mexico earlier this month and it has since been classified as inactive by USDA. 

USDA considers a case inactive when an infested animal has fully recovered following treatment or, if treatment was not possible, when appropriate measures have been taken to prevent the spread of NWS, including proper disposal of a dead, infested animal. 

The Texas Animal Health Commission has now placed portions of 18 counties under quarantine to limit animal movement and reduce the risk of further spread. The quarantine orders remain in effect until lifted by the commission. 

The quarantine zones include: 

• Zone 1, effective June 3: Uvalde and Zavala counties.  

• Zone 2, effective June 7: La Salle and Webb counties.  

• Zone 3, effective June 9: Gillespie, Kerr, and Kimble counties.  

• Zone 4, effective June 10: Edwards, Sutton, and Val Verde counties.  

• Zone 5, effective June 12: Tom Green and Coke counties.  

• Zone 6, effective June 13: Kimble, Schleicher, and Sutton counties.  

• Zone 7, effective June 20: Crockett, Schleicher, Val Verde, and Sutton counties.  

• Zone 8, effective June 22: Terrell and Pecos counties.  

• Zone 9, effective June 24: Bandera, Medina, and Uvalde counties. 

Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].