USDA halts export of animals to Mexico after New World Screwworm detections in United States

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued an order halting exports of specific animals to Mexico from the United States following the detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Texas and New Mexico.

The USDA has halted exports of the following species:

• Cattle (slaughter and reproduction)
• Wild ruminants (non-bovine)
• Equine (slaughter, breeding/work, and sport/exhibition/transit)
• Sheep and goats (slaughter and reproduction)
• Pet Dogs
• Swine (reproduction)
• Ferrets (commercial and pets)
• Songbirds/ornamental birds/raptors (commercial and pets)

NWS is a fly that lays its eggs in open wounds and body openings such as the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or genitals of warm-blooded animals, including people. The eggs hatch into parasitic maggots that burrow into and feed on living tissue or flesh. 

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health continues to work closely with our counterparts at the USDA to help plan effective and aggressive prevention and mitigation strategies.

This is an evolving situation. For more information and to stay abreast of the latest developments, visit Screwworm.gov to see the most up-to-date information. 

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