By Joanna Allhands
The border with Mexico has been closed to cattle imports for more than a year in hopes of slowing the spread of New World Screwworm.
But the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a phased reopening on Aug. 24, starting with the port in Douglas.
The move earned praise from the state’s feedlot industry, which has been hurt hard by the border closure, and caution from cow-calf operators struggling to monitor vast terrain for the destructive pest.
“The threat of New World Screwworm along our southern border is a serious concern for our members, for wildlife and anyone who manages livestock or has pets,” Arizona Farm Bureau president John Boelts said.
“Cross-border movement of livestock will require ongoing vigilance and additional resources, including a sterile fly distribution facility in Arizona, to confront this threat head-on.”
Sonora has zero screwworm cases
The screwworm, unlike most other maggots, thrives on living flesh. It bores deep into scrapes, cuts and other openings, causing painful wounds that can be fatal if left untreated.
The pest had been eradicated from the United States and Mexico for decades — until 2024, when the first case was confirmed in southern Mexico.
The flies quickly spread north, with the first American infestation confirmed in Texas in early June.
More than 35,000 cases have been confirmed in Mexico over two years, with nearly 1,700 active cases now.
Sonora — which borders Douglas — is one of the few remaining Mexican states without any cases.
“While the rest of Mexico has not been able to stop the spread of the screwworm or stop legal and illegal movement, Sonora and Chihuahua do have a track record of success in these spaces, giving USDA confidence that they can do the job,” the agency noted in a news release.
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