U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her colleagues are calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take immediate action to contain and respond to the outbreak of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the United States.
The parasitic fly is a threat to livestock, farm workers, wildlife, and rural economies across the country. So far, twelve active cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed by the USDA.
“We write with great concern regarding the current outbreak of New World Screwworm (NWS) within the United States and the growing threat this pest poses to livestock producers, farm workers, companion animals, wildlife, and rural economies across the country,” wrote the Senators. “Since June 3, 2026, the United States Department of Agriculture has confirmed at least seven cases of New World Screwworm in Texas and New Mexico. Due to the scale of the animal health threat that New World Screwworm poses to the United States, we urge the USDA to take further immediate action to contain and respond to this emergency.”
“We are aware that the USDA has engaged in preliminary efforts to contain this outbreak, including enhanced surveillance, sterile fly releases, coordination with animal health officials in Texas and New Mexico, and the confirmation that the U.S. food supply remains safe,” the Senators continued.
Source : senate.gov