9/30 Game and Fish is asking the public to watch for the New World Screwworm after it was detected in a horse, on September 17-th, in Grant County, New Mexico. The worms were found in a wound on the horse. Officials say this was found 50-miles from the Arizona border and is a real concern. New World screwworm has not been detected in Arizona, but recent detections have been confirmed in Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico. Screwworms are parasitic flies that lay eggs in open wounds or mucous membranes of live birds and mammals. The eggs hatch into a type of larvae that only feeds on living tissue.
Details on the New Mexico infested zone, adjacent surveillance zone, and other response information may be found on www.screwwormnm.org.
If you are considering traveling into New Mexico with livestock or personal pets, please check the latest map of infested and surveillance zones. Traveling into and out of this area will have restrictions and may require special permits. Unnecessary travel into affected areas with animals should be avoided.
