Oklahoma agriculture agency monitors confirmed New World screwworm cases in Texas, N.M.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry is monitoring multiple confirmed cases of New World Screwworm in Texas and New Mexico.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the screwworm is an invasive species whose larvae infest the open wounds of livestock and other mammals.

The USDA also said NWS is not contagious and does not spread directly from animals to people or from person to person.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture (ODAFF) said the pest feeds on living tissue and can infect livestock, pets, wildfowl, and people, but the pest does not impact Oklahoma’s food supply.

ODAFF has travel restrictions in place for species traveling from state to state and infected zones:

• Any species traveling from an infested state, but not an infested zone, can enter Oklahoma with a CVI that includes a statement “All animals in shipment do not originate from or transit through a NWS Infested Zone.”
• Any species that originates from an infested zone will need to meet the movement requirements for the state of origin, obtain a permit from the Oklahoma State Veterinarian’s office, and have a CVI that states “all animals listed were individually inspected and found free of wounds.”

ODAFF said if you suspect a case, contact the State Veterinarian’s office at 405-522-6141, your County OSU Extension Educator, or veterinarian.

For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.