Thompson Veterinary Services

Dr. T wanted me to post updated info for this "New World Screworm" making it's way to this area. Although he rarely works with large animals lately he would like the surrounding public to see the updates we are getting.

I will be attaching below what we were sent today from Rod Hall up in Oklahoma.

I would like to update everyone on the status of New World Screwworm in the United States. The second attachment is a screen shot from the USDA website screwworm.gov . It shows the infested zones and adjacent surveillance zones in Texas and New Mexico and lists the number of cases in each zone.



I’ve also attached a document with pesticides and medications that can be used to treat and prevent NWS. The third attachment is our most current NWS fact sheet.



The situation is very fluid in Texas, and we are working to stay up to date. We are reviewing our interstate import requirements and are adjusting them to allow commerce to continue but at the same time to try to protect Oklahoma from NWS.



Please urge your clients, stakeholders, and constituents to be aware and monitor their animals (even companion animals) for wounds and fly larvae. If they find wounds, they should be treated immediately and properly to help them heal quickly and to prevent NWS flies from laying eggs near the edge of the wound. Please ask them to report suspicious cases of fly larvae and submit them quickly.



Veterinarians may submit to OADDL in the same way samples for other testing are submitted. If they use the shipping labels that can be printed from OADDL’s website, ODAFF will pay for the shipping and the identification.



Producers and the public may also utilize County OSU Extension offices. They have submission kits and will collect information about the case and submit samples to the Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostic Lab at OSU.



This QR code opens a self-reporting tool that allows anyone to report suspicious cases. There is an interactive map that allows them to show where the sample was collected. They may also attach photos from their phone’s camera. The information comes directly to my office, and we will contact them to help collect and submit samples.


We’ve been discussing this for over a year, and until now our message has been to be aware, but don’t panic. I still don’t want people to panic, but it is time to really ramp up surveillance. If the fly makes its way to Oklahoma, the sooner we find it, the better chance we have to stop it.



Thanks for your assistance, and contact me with questions.



Rod



Rod Hall, DVM | State Veterinarian

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry

2800 N. Lincoln Blvd. OKC, OK 73105

405.522.0270 | c. 580.257.0254

[email protected]

www.ag.ok.gov/ais

For Interstate Movement Requirements go to https://www.interstatelivestock.com/

Screwworm.gov | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Learn how the U.S. Government prevents New World screwworm and what to know about risks, surveillance, sterile-fly control, travel, and more.