The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is sharing a new roadmap outlining how the agency will regularly review the New World Screwworm (NWS) Response Playbook. The roadmap establishes a quarterly cycle for inviting and reviewing stakeholder feedback, incorporating lessons learned, and as needed, refining guidance to ensure the Playbook remains an agile, science‑based resource for responders across the United States.
“We are committed to ensuring our domestic response tools evolve as quickly as the situation does,” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Dudley Hoskins. “The Response Playbook has already proven to be an outstanding and highly effective guide for our nationwide efforts, as reflected in the low number of cases seen in the United States. We especially acknowledge the strong partnership of the Texas Animal Health Commission and the New Mexico Livestock Board, whose close collaboration with APHIS has been vital in effectively implementing the Playbook during the current response. The Playbook was always intended to be a living document, and continued insights provided by states, producers, veterinarians, wildlife experts, and other partners remain essential to strengthening our readiness.”
The NWS Response Playbook outlines critical science-based strategies for Federal, State, Tribal, and local responders, including how to:
- Coordinate response operations
- Reduce spread and prevent establishment of NWS in new areas
- Manage the pest in infested animals
- Implement NWS fly surveillance and control measures
- Maintain continuity of business
- Support efficient information flow and situational awareness
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