Animal health leaders reiterate their support during screwworm crisis

In a statement Tuesday afternoon addressing the increasing threat of the New World screwworm on American cattle populations, the Animal Health Institute emphasized its industry’s commitment to helping veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, ranchers, and public officials respond to this serious pest. The current risk to animals, humans, and the food supply throughout the U.S. remains low.

The AHI, which represents the companies that develop and produce animal medicines, emphasized that despite the growing fears in ranching communities, the current risk to animals, humans, and the food supply throughout the U.S. remains low.

The companies that make animal medicines have been working closely with Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA/CVM) to help ensure veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and ranchers have the tools they need to combat this pest in livestock, pets, and other affected animals. AHI member companies are also coordinating with veterinarians, animal owners, distributors, and public officials to support access to these products in priority areas.

“The animal health industry is committed to supporting the veterinarians, farmers, ranchers, animal owners, and public officials on the front lines of this response to New World Screwworm,” said Martha Scott Poindexter, President and CEO of AHI. “Our priority is to help ensure they have the tools they need to combat this pest, that supply is coordinated to support areas of greatest need, and that products are used appropriately to support this response.”

Just a few days ago, the Texas Animal Health Commission has confirmed a sixth case of New World screwworm in Texas, prompting the expansion of an infested zone in the state’s Hill Country and South Texas regions.

The resurgence of New World screwworm has triggered a coordinated response from state and federal animal health officials. The parasite, which was largely dealt with in the United States in 1966, remained responsible for numerous detections through the 1980s and poses a serious threat to livestock, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, humans.

NWS larvae can infest wounds and feed on living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing serious and sometimes deadly damage.

Animal health products are one part of the broader New World Screwworm response. Rapid detection, reporting, treatment, movement controls, and eradication tools, including sterile fly efforts, all play important roles in preventing this pest from becoming established again in the United States.

The AHI reiterates the importance of using products exactly as specified on approved labels, authorization letters, fact sheets, and other applicable conditions of use. Products made available for New World Screwworm may have specific requirements for species, indications, dosing, route of administration, withdrawal periods, and other conditions. These details are especially important for food-producing animals and for products authorized under emergency pathways.

Veterinarians and pet owners can proactively prevent NWS infections by managing wounds that create ideal conditions for infestation. The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service highlights that protecting pets and livestock from wound-causing parasites, such as flies and ticks, is a vital preventive measure. The AHI supports this approach, recognizing the essential role parasiticides play in safeguarding livestock and pet health. We recommend using these products as directed and in consultation with a veterinarian to ensure proper protection or treatment of NWS.

The AHI encourages veterinarians, farmers, ranchers, and animal owners to inspect animals closely, report suspected cases immediately to animal health authorities and consult current guidance from U.S. Department of Agriculture, FDA, state animal health officials, and licensed veterinarians. In affected areas, animal owners should follow official guidance on wound care and control of other wound-causing parasites to reduce risk.

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