NMPF, FARM Focus on New World Screwworm Prevention
October 1, 2025
Three top USDA experts led a discussion of the latest updates, detection methods and more during a one-hour live webinar on Sept. 22 exploring New World screwworm hosted by NMPF and the National Dairy FARM Program.
With the screwworm now reported to be 70 miles south of a Mexican-U.S. border state, efforts to protect cattle and prevent spread are ratcheting up. NMPF and FARM are monitoring the situation closely, creating a fact sheet for producers, available here. USDA is taking an “all hands on deck” approach to manage the malady, said Dr. Christopher Needham, deputy director of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS).
“We actually have boots on the ground now looking at this, doing a full investigation, as well as considering what our next steps are to protect the border at all costs,” Needham said. “The entire federal government is looking at this as a national priority, and a national approach is needed to really make sure that we’re protecting agriculture here in the United States.”
Needham spoke to more than 80 attendees of USDA’s key strategy to work across agencies to ensure an effective response. Dr. Needham provided an overview of the screwworm outbreak followed by USDA’s five-pronged plan, with ongoing efforts to increase the Sterile Insect Technique, import requirements, surveillance and trapping of screwworm.
Dr. Rosemary Sifford, deputy administrator for USDA’s APHIS, also joined the call to discuss the agency’s efforts to update the NWS Strategy Plan. USDA is currently drafting the NWS Incident Playbook, a resource that provides quick, practical access to tools and methods used to respond to NWS.
Participants also learned the proper steps for reporting suspected cases to safeguard animal health and protect livestock. Producers are encouraged to report any suspicion of NWS to their veterinarian, state vet, USDA office or extension agent.
Chief Veterinary Officer for the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Tristan Colonius, rounded out the webinar with information on animal drugs for New World screwworm. There are currently no approved products for treating or preventing NWS. FDA is reviewing potential drugs as part of the coordinated response.
Recent reports have detected New World screwworm in cattle just 70 miles from the northern border state of Nuevo Leon. This is the closest case to the U.S. border since the outbreak began last year.
Producers should continue to enforce biosecurity measures on farms to bolster efforts in mitigating the spread.
