Arizona Detects Two Additional Cases of New World Screwworm, Implements New Infested Zone in Greenlee County

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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 4, 2026

CONTACT: [email protected]

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) is announcing two additional confirmed cases of New World screwworm (NWS) in Arizona. The cases were identified near Duncan (Greenlee County) in an ovine and equine, approximately 78 and 72 miles from Arizona’s index case. The affected ram and horse are domesticated and have no known history of travel.

A new Infested Zone will be established in Greenlee 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 detections follow Arizona’s second confirmed case involving an equine near Hereford in Cochise County. These additional cases and new IZ 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. You can now search your location on the map to see how far you are from the IZ.

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