Import Alert: New World Screwworm Restrictions for Animal Commodities Originating from or Transiting Honduras

 Issuance Date: September 18, 2024

                        8:05 AM U.S. Eastern
Effective Date: September 12, 2024

 

Effective September 12, 2024, and until further notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) is restricting the importation of animal commodities originating from or transiting Honduras based on the diagnosis of New World screwworm in a horse.

 

APHIS prohibits the importation of ruminants and swine from Honduras. However, APHIS will permit the importation of pet dogs, hedgehogs, tenrecs, elephants, hippos, rhinos, and tapirs from Honduras as long as they are accompanied by a certificate signed by a full-time salaried veterinary official of the region of origin. The certificate must state that the animal has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days prior to shipment to the United States and the animal is either free from screwworm OR was found to be infested with screwworm, held in quarantine, and treated until free from screwworm prior to leaving the region.

 

Horses imported directly from Honduras must complete and adhere to the established import screwworm protocol which includes a minimum 7-day quarantine period upon arrival. If horses reside in a screwworm-free country for a minimum of 7 days, immediately prior to being exported to the United States, APHIS will permit the horse to complete a 3-day quarantine upon arrival. Health certificates from all regions visited within the 60 days immediately prior to export must accompany the shipment. In addition, screwworm certification endorsed by a licensed veterinarian from the exporting country must be provided certifying the horse was examined and found free of screwworm after being in country a minimum of 7 days.

 

For other animal species, please check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and/or USDA APHIS Animal Care to ensure import requirements of those agencies are met, when applicable.

 

A list of regions APHIS recognizes as affected by screwworm can be found on the USDA APHIS Animal Health Status of Regions website.

 

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