New World Screwworm Emergency Response
The materials on this page are specific to New World screwworm (NWS). You can use these tools and resources to prepare for and respond to an outbreak of this pest.
We also offer materials that apply not only to NWS, but other foreign animal pests and diseases as well. To view these materials, visit Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response.
To learn more about the current response to NWS, visit screwworm.gov. There, you'll find the USDA dashboard that tracks confirmed NWS detections in the United States, along with resources from across the Federal government and more.
Changelog: Recently Updated Documents
10/6/26 | New World Screwworm Response Playbook
Update: Clarifies when zone sizing may be adjusted, such as due to habitat/host factors (Section 2).
10/6/26 | New World Screwworm National Continuity of Business Standardized Animal Movement Guidance
Updates: Allows States to authorize movement requirement activities to be performed on other premises types, including temporary aggregation points, such as when movement requirement activities cannot be performed at the origin premises.
Clarifies that animals moving to slaughter from the Infested Zone can have the 72-hour clock requirement reset if they are inspected again by an authorized inspector.
10/6/26 | Ready Reference Guide - Establishing and Releasing NWS Zones and Areas
Update: Clarifies when zone sizing may be adjusted.
New Section: Provides criteria for releasing Infested Zones.
7/20/26 | USDA Authorization for Response and Associated Activities (141.88 KB)
Update: Clarifies that only APHIS-approved laboratories or entomologists can status NWS cases as presumptive positive prior to NVSL confirmatory testing.
NWS Response and Policy Information
APHIS welcomes ongoing feedback from our State and industry partners on the NWS Response Playbook (881.06 KB).
Supplemental guidance and materials referenced in the playbook are available in the accordions below. We appreciate your continued coordination and collaboration. Your feedback helps us refine the playbook and keep State and Federal response efforts aligned.
| Document | Updated |
|---|---|
| Response Ready Reference Guide—Establishing and Releasing NWS Zones and Areas | October 6, 2026 |
| USDA Authorization for Response and Associated Activities (141.88 KB) | July 20, 2026 |
| Initial Epidemiological (Epi) Questionnaire | April 8, 2026 |
| Phases and Types of an Outbreak | April 8, 2026 |
| Document | Updated |
|---|---|
| Foreign Animal Disease Investigation Guide for NWS (376.65 KB) | July 2025 |
| Fly Assessment Form (139.24 KB) | September 13, 2026 |
| Pre-Movement Animal Inspection Checklist | April 8, 2026 |
| Checklist for Management of Premises With Infested Animals | April 8, 2026 |
| Best Practices for Evaluation of Animals for NWS | April 8, 2026 |
| Document | Updated |
|---|---|
| Overview of Wildlife Surveillance | April 8, 2026 |
| Fly Surveillance and Site Selection Methods (180.13 KB) | May 31, 2017 |
| Document | Updated |
|---|---|
| National Continuity of Business: Standardized Animal Movement Certificate Guidance (616.06 KB) | October 6, 2026 |
| Document | Updated |
|---|---|
| Disposal and Disinfestation of Animals and Materials | April 8, 2026 |
| Document | Updated |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Use of Antiparasitic Drugs and Pesticides in Free-Ranging Wildlife | April 8, 2026 |
NWS Resources
Find detailed resources concerning an NWS outbreak.
Information About Past NWS Outbreaks
- Final Report for the APHIS Veterinary Services Response to the 2016–2017 NWS Outbreak in Florida (2.9 MB) (May 2017)
- Powerpoint to the Final Report for the APHIS Veterinary Services Response to the 2016–2017 NWS Outbreak in Florida (2.65 MB) (May 2017)
- Map Video: NWS Investigations in the United States, January 2016–April 2017
- Map Video: NWS Investigations in Florida, January 2016–April 2017
Related Links
- Carcass Management Dashboard
- Emergency Management Response System
- African Swine Fever Emergency Response
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Emergency Response
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease Emergency Response
- Virulent Newcastle Disease Emergency Response
- National Veterinary Stockpile
- Veterinary Services Training and Exercise Program