Screwworm is a dangerous pest that can severely impact U.S. agriculture and animal and public health. If you see any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations in animals or people, report it immediately.
To learn more about screwworm and what to look for, explore the resources at What You Need To Know.
You Don’t Need To Look for NWS Flies
Many fly species look alike, and even a true NWS fly could be a harmless sterile one released for eradication efforts. So there’s no need to watch for flies themselves. Instead of looking for flies, focus on protecting your animals:
- Check your animals regularly for signs of NWS infestation.
- Report suspected cases right away if you notice anything unusual.
What To Look For
- Larvae (maggots) and eggs in or around body openings such as the nose, ears, and genital areas, or the navel of newborn animals
- Draining or enlarging wounds
- Foul odor or the smell of decay
- Signs of pain such as irritated behavior, depression, not eating, or isolating from other animals or people
I Want To Report a Suspected Case in...
Livestock
In Texas, report suspected cases in livestock directly to the Texas Animal Health Commission Region Office or the State veterinarian on call at 1-800-550-8242.
Livestock producers or owners outside of Texas who suspect screwworm should contact their veterinarian to evaluate the animal or herd. Find an accredited veterinarian.
Animal health professionals report suspected cases to the APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge and State animal health officials. Use the dropdown below to access the website for your State animal health officials.
Wildlife
In Texas, report suspected cases in wildlife to Texas Parks & Wildlife.
If you see signs of maggot infestations in live or very recently dead wild animals outside of Texas, especially in areas near the U.S./Mexico border, call 866-4USDA-WS (866-487-3297) to report it to your local USDA Wildlife Services office. Or, use the link below to contact your local office directly.
Find Your Local USDA Wildlife Services Office
Pets
If you suspect screwworm in your pet, contact your veterinarian to evaluate the animal.
People
Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have screwworm.
Healthcare providers report suspected cases to the local or State health department. For instructions and contact information, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at NWS Case Reporting for Health Departments.
Questions?
USDA is leading an aggressive unified response to detections of NWS in the United States. If you have questions or need more information, contact us at screwworm@usda.gov.