The Swine Health Information Center, in collaboration with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, will host a webinar titled “New World Screwworm Response Planning, Available Resources, and Outreach Strategies for Pork Producers”. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm CDT. Register for the webinar here.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the detection of NWS in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas, on June 3, 2026. NWS is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing serious wounds, infestation, and even animal death if left untreated.
USDA APHIS stated in its press release that, “USDA and Texas officials are taking immediate action to contain and eradicate NWS from the United States, following the strategies and actions outlined in the NWS Response Playbook.” In response to the detection, actions taken by authorities include the establishment of a unified incident command structure and implementation of a comprehensive containment strategy, including quarantines, movement controls, enhanced surveillance, increased sterile fly release, expanded trapping efforts, wildlife monitoring, and targeted local outreach. These measures are designed to contain NWS infestation, prevent its spread, and accelerate eradication efforts. Additional resources can be found on USDA’s NWS website at www.screwworm.gov.
The intent of the August 4 webinar is to provide the latest information on the USDA NWS Response Playbook and its impact on producers, review the current products available to treat animals affected by the parasitic larvae, including product categories and requirements for use, and hear insights regarding efforts in Texas to manage and control the pest. Join experts during this webinar as they share critical information on NWS preparedness, response, and mitigation strategies, as well as insight into how NWS may impact the US pork industry.
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