By Kevin Hendricks
Ranchers in Otero County now have a flesh-eating fly on their radar after state officials confirmed New World screwworm in a beef cow near Piñon.
The case is New Mexico’s fifth since the parasite returned to the U.S. this summer, and the first in Otero County.
The New Mexico Livestock Board and New Mexico Department of Agriculture announced the case Oct. 21. Officials drew an infested zone with a radius of at least 12.4 miles around the cow’s location. Inside it, owners must get animals inspected, and treated if needed, before moving them within or out of the zone.
State and federal crews are expanding surveillance and fly traps to hunt for more cases.
“We are working closely with our state and federal partners to investigate these cases,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Holeck in a press release.
The pest crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in June after being eradicated here in the 1960s, Searchlight New Mexico reported. New Mexico’s first case turned up in a Lea County dog. Grant County followed with a horse, then a second horse and a calf confirmed Oct. 15.
The USDA has counted 55 infestations across New Mexico and Texas since June, according to Searchlight.
Cooler weather offers some relief, but not a pass, said New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte.
“Cold daytime temperatures can slow screwworm activity, but the risk is not completely eliminated,” Witte said.
Screwworm larvae feed on living tissue in warm-blooded animals, including livestock and pets. Owners should check animals for wounds that won’t heal, injuries that get worse, maggots, foul-smelling discharge or unusual irritation around a wound. Anyone who suspects a case should call the Livestock Board right away and keep the animal where it is.
Spot a suspicious wound? Report it:
- New Mexico Livestock Board: 505-841-6161
- Online reporting form: nmsu.news/NWS-Reporting
- Case maps, infested zone rules and updates: ScrewwormNM.org
- Infested zone fact sheet: screwwormnm.org/documents/IZ_informationsheet.pdf
Share this story and start a conversation
