Arizona Detects Additional Confirmed Case of New World Screwworm in Cochise County, Implements a New Infested Zone

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Official release

Source material from Arizona Department of Agriculture. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER 2, 2026

CONTACT: [email protected]

PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) is announcing an additional confirmed case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Arizona. The case was identified near Hereford (Cochise County) in an equine, approximately 45 miles from Arizona's index case. The affected horse is domesticated and has no known history of travel.

A new Infested Zone will be established in Cochise County. Animal health officials establish mandatory 20 kilometer (12.4 miles) radius Infested Zones (IZ) around affected premises. No animals may leave Infested Zones until movement restrictions are lifted or under the direction of the State Veterinarian pursuant to the Continuity of Business and Pre-Movement Inspection process as outlined in the USDA New World screwworm playbook. Self-Inspection is suspended in the IZ while it is active.

The additional detection follows Arizona's first confirmed case announced on October 28, 2026, involving a canine near Elfrida in Cochise County. This additional case and new Infested Zone stresses the importance of continued vigilance among livestock owners, horse owners, veterinarians, hunters, and pet owners. AZDA encourages those caring for animals to closely inspect wounds and promptly report any unusual wounds that appear to be infested with maggots consistent with NWS.

The Department is continuing to coordinate closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), neighboring states, and Mexican counterparts to support regional NWS response efforts. USDA continues to move forward with the release of sterile flies in surrounding areas as well as the construction of a dispersal facility in Douglas, Arizona.

We encourage livestock owners, livestock auctions, processing facilities, pet owners, animal shelters, hunters, and other stakeholders to be extremely vigilant and observant with animals in their care or custody. If any unusual wounds are noticed that appear to be infested with maggots consistent with NWS, please report those immediately to [email protected] or by calling 602-542-4293 during business hours 8:00AM-5:00PM Monday through Friday. Similarly, if hunters or other outdoor recreationists encounter wildlife that appear to be infested, please contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 623-236-7201. Please ensure that GPS coordinates of the approximate location of the wildlife are captured.

Current information regarding the NWS situation in Arizona, including new cases and detailed maps, can be found here.

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Release text attributed to Arizona Department of Agriculture. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.