New Mexico Screwworm Zone Lifted as USDA Moves Response Playbook to Quarterly Review Cycle

The USDA has lifted its New World screwworm infested zone in New Mexico after nearly three months without a further case, while simultaneously placing its national response playbook on a quarterly review schedule running through fiscal 2027 — a signal that federal authorities intend to treat outbreak preparedness as a continuously evolving process rather than a fixed protocol.

APHIS has lifted the New World screwworm infested zone in New Mexico following the recommendation of state veterinarian Dr Samantha Holeck and the New Mexico Livestock Board, after the area met the criteria set out in the agency’s response playbook.

No further cases have been detected since the state’s first and only confirmation on 7 June, when a dog was diagnosed with screwworm myiasis. The response involved movement controls, inspections, wildlife and fly surveillance, and targeted sterile fly releases. Livestock and pet owners in the area can now resume normal intrastate and interstate movements without screwworm-specific inspection requirements, and APHIS gains scope to negotiate the removal of New Mexico-specific export restrictions with trading partners. Trapping and wildlife monitoring will continue.

In parallel, APHIS is placing its response playbook — first published in April 2026 — on a quarterly review cycle beginning 9 September 2026 and running through fiscal 2027. The document covers coordination between federal, state, tribal and local authorities, containment, management of infested animals, fly surveillance and control, business continuity and communications.

Under Secretary Dudley Hoskins said the agency wants its response tools to evolve as quickly as the situation does, crediting the Texas Animal Health Commission and New Mexico Livestock Board as exceptional partners. Quarterly virtual stakeholder meetings will allow industry associations to channel producer feedback into future updates.