Arizona’s first New World screwworm case was recorded in a dog in Cochise County, according to federal and state officials.
The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) said a local vet examined the dog on Oct. 26 and “identified a wound on the canine's back heavily infested with maggots consistent with NWS characteristics.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said the detection was confirmed Wednesday after samples from the dog were tested at an APHIS veterinary lab in Iowa.
Additional information about the condition of the affected dog was not released.
State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Wolker said, "We have been preparing for this possibility for a long while and are acting swiftly. Because of the extensive outreach, coordination, and surveillance already in place, Arizona producers, veterinarians, and pet owners know what to look for and how to report suspected cases. That preparation is allowing us to move quickly to protect animal health in the state."
AZDA officials stated, “Consistent with federal NWS protocols, AZDA is coordinating closely with USDA, neighboring states, and Mexican counterparts to ensure this case is integrated into regional NWS response efforts. Federal response actions from USDA will include establishing an Infested Zone, increasing animal surveillance, and conducting outreach to local partners. AZDA has also advocated for the release of sterile flies in the area to help suppress the fly population and prevent the pest from becoming established. Plans for a Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in Douglas, Arizona continue to move forward.”
Per the USDA: “New World screwworm is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and, less commonly, people. The larvae feed on living tissue and can cause severe wounds, animal suffering, and significant economic impacts if not detected and treated quickly.”
The USDA says APHIS and Arizona animal health officials are responding to the confirmed case by:
- Establishing a 20-kilometer infested zone around the latest detection and implementing animal movement controls in the area
- Increasing live animal surveillance and trapping
- Releasing sterile flies
- Implementing targeted outreach to local producers, veterinarians, and communities
Officials are asking animal owners to check their animals daily for:
- Draining or enlarging wounds
- Maggots or egg masses in wounds
- Signs of discomfort or irritability
- Lesions around body openings, including the ears, nose, genital area, and umbilicus
State officials are asking the public animal owners to contact the AZDA if they notice wounds consistent with NWS via email at diseasereporting@azda.gov or by calling 602-542-4293 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., M-F).
Anyone who observes wildlife that may be affected is asked to note the GPS coordinates of the animal’s location and call the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 623-236-7201.
More information about screwworm, including a list of recent cases, can be found at http://screwworm.gov.
