Staff and volunteers should report suspicious wounds or larvae promptly—not try to diagnose New World screwworm (NWS), treat an animal, or identify a fly. Observe from a safe position, avoid unnecessary contact, and use the reporting route for the affected animal and location. This guide is for recognition and escalation, not diagnosis or treatment.
What is New World screwworm?
New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is a fly whose larvae burrow into wounds and feed on living tissue. Infestations can cause serious, potentially deadly damage in animals. Livestock, pets, wildlife, and occasionally birds can be affected; human cases are rare. See the USDA APHIS overview.
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The United States eradicated NWS in 1966, according to APHIS. A small outbreak in the Florida Keys was eliminated in 2017. Those historical milestones do not replace current reporting instructions.
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Report larvae or eggs in or around a wound or body opening, including the nose, ears, genital area, or a newborn animal’s navel. Other concerning signs include a wound that is draining or enlarging, a foul odor, pain, irritation, depression, loss of appetite, isolation, or unusual head shaking. These signs warrant escalation; they do not confirm NWS.
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- Observe from a safe position and avoid unnecessary contact with the wound.
- Record only details your role and organization’s protocol permit, such as the location, date, affected animal, and observed signs.
- Contact the appropriate official or veterinary channel promptly.
You do not need to look for flies. Many fly species look alike, and some NWS flies may be sterile flies released for eradication efforts. Do not attempt to identify a fly or decide that a wound is NWS. Follow APHIS’s reporting guidance.
Who should you contact?
Reporting depends on the host, location, and your role. The routes below reflect APHIS instructions; government contacts and protocols can change, so check the live reporting page before distributing a printed guide.
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| Case | Contact |
|---|---|
| Livestock in Texas | Report to the Texas Animal Health Commission regional office or the state veterinarian on call at 1-800-550-8242. |
| Livestock outside Texas | Owners and producers should contact their veterinarian for evaluation. Animal-health professionals should report to the APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge and state animal-health officials as applicable. |
| Wildlife in Texas | Report suspected cases to Texas Parks and Wildlife. |
| Wildlife outside Texas | Report maggot infestations in live or very recently dead wild animals—especially near the U.S.–Mexico border—to USDA Wildlife Services at 866-4USDA-WS (866-487-3297) or a local office. |
| Pets | Contact a veterinarian for evaluation. |
| People | The person should contact a healthcare provider. Healthcare providers should report suspected cases to local or state health departments following CDC instructions. |
Use the current APHIS reporting page to verify the route and contact details for your case.
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How should staff protect themselves?
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow your organization’s incident procedures.
- Keep your own cuts and scratches clean and covered.
- If you see or feel larvae on or in your body, contact a healthcare provider immediately and notify your supervisor.
APHIS does not specify a particular glove material or PPE model in the reviewed investigation guidance. Follow your organization’s PPE protocol rather than selecting equipment based on this article. Do not collect larvae or move an animal unless an authorized professional directs you to do so.
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What should volunteers not do?
- Do not diagnose NWS from a wound or try to identify a fly.
- Do not treat an animal, apply medication or insecticide, or collect a specimen on your own.
- Do not move or handle a suspected animal unless an authorized professional instructs you.
Animal treatment belongs under veterinary direction; human concerns belong with healthcare providers and public-health guidance. APHIS’s investigation guide is intended for foreign animal disease diagnosticians and officials, not as a lay treatment protocol. Any quarantine or movement instructions should come from responsible authorities.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can animal teams find official training materials?
APHIS provides a National Veterinary Accreditation Program training module and a recorded webinar for veterinarians and animal-health regulatory officials, along with a foreign animal disease investigation guide, possible-detection standard operating procedure, preparedness materials, and public information. Wildlife-facing volunteers can use APHIS hunter information, wildlife pocket cards in PDF and Word formats, printable factsheets, social media materials, and text for hunting regulation booklets or licensing websites. Start with the APHIS NWS overview and its linked resources.
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Operational guidance is subject to revision. APHIS’s emergency response page recorded updates on October 6, 2026, to zone-sizing and animal-movement material. Keep such operational details out of a static volunteer handout unless the responsible agency has approved them.
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