06/11/2026
Pet parents,
There has been an abundance of social media coverage of the New World Screwworm. Currently a handful of cases (6) have been confirmed in South Texas. There have been no reported cases in North Texas to date. AMC McKinney has 2 USDA Accredited Veterinarians on staff (Drs. New and Hunter) who receive first line updates from USDA APHIS and all veterinarians receive updates from the Texas Animal Health Commission.
New World Screwworm (NWS, Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a devastating pest. When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage. NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people.
NWS arrived to the US from flies and migration of wild animals across the US – Mexico border. In the past, the screwworm was eradicated from the United States in 1966 and successfully eliminated a small outbreak from the Florida Keys in 2017 by releasing a sterile male fly population. Female screwworm flies only mate once, produce larvae, and then die. When a female screwworm mates with a sterile male, the life cycle is halted. The US teams have been monitoring NWS migration for the past several years and sterile fly plant facilities have been in production long before the screwworm arrived in Texas in preparation for the current situation. Sterile males are being released in affected areas in large number daily.
What should pet parents do?
- Monitor your pet for any wounds, please call us if you note a wound so that we can examine your pet.
- Pick up pet f***s daily and dispose of daily from the environment.
- If you are traveling with your pet, please reach out to a veterinarian regarding potential travel restrictions in place for some areas.
- If you have livestock, also monitor for wounds, and consult with your farm vet regarding the most updated recommendations for fly control options.