New World Screwworm
What Every Livestock and Pet Owner Needs to Know
An AgriUnity resource for farmers, ranchers, and animal owners
New World Screwworm (NWS) has been confirmed in the United States, and while it has not yet reached the Southeast, AgriUnity wants to make sure every farmer, rancher, and animal owner in our network is informed and prepared. We have put together a fact sheet — available for download below — that covers everything you need to know: what to watch for, how to prevent it, and exactly what to do if you suspect a case.
Download the full fact sheet: New World Screwworm — Informational Fact Sheet for Livestock & Pet Owners
What Is New World Screwworm?
New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae — maggots — feed on the living flesh of warm-blooded animals, including livestock, pets, and wildlife. Unlike common flies that feed on dead tissue, screwworm larvae burrow into living tissue, causing wounds that grow larger and more serious without prompt treatment.
Currently confirmed in: Texas and New Mexico only.
What to Watch For
Check your animals regularly — all over their bodies — and contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the following:
Maggots visible in any wound or insect bite, no matter how small
A wound that is growing larger, smells bad, or causes obvious pain
An animal biting, licking, or rubbing a wound repeatedly
Unusual behavior or restlessness
Prevention
The best defense is a proactive one. If you are near or traveling through an NWS-affected area:
Use USDA-approved NWS animal drugs and pesticides
Reduce opportunities for animals to be wounded
Schedule routine procedures (tagging, castration, dehorning, branding, birthing, etc.) during periods when fly populations are lower, and treat immediately with approved products
Inspect all animals thoroughly — including eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and wounds of any size — before leaving an affected area
Make sure no blue-green flies are in your vehicle or trailer before you travel
If You Suspect NWS — Act Promptly
Step 1 — Isolate & Don't Move Isolate the animal immediately. Do not move it off your property.
Step 2 — Call Your Vet & State Agriculture Department Contact your veterinarian first, then notify your State Department of Agriculture.
Step 3 — Treat the Wound (wear gloves)
Remove maggots using hydrogen peroxide or an approved method
Kill all removed maggots — save some in 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol for professional identification
Treat the wound with a screwworm pesticide wound spray
Administer ivermectin injectable with veterinarian approval
Follow up with your vet for antibiotics as needed
Step 4 — Monitor Continue to closely monitor all animals on your property.
Wild, Feral, or Stray Animals
Do not handle the animal yourself. Contact your local Department of Natural Resources (DNR), State Department of Agriculture, or local animal control office right away.
Georgia Contacts
Situation Contact First call — always Your veterinarian Georgia domestic animals Office of the State Veterinarian — 404-656-3667 / AnimalHealth@agr.georgia.gov Georgia wildlife Georgia DNR — 800-366-2661 General USDA questions www.screwworm.gov
Stay Informed
For the most current information, confirmed case maps, and additional resources, visit www.screwworm.gov.
📎 The full AgriUnity NWS Fact Sheet is attached to this post. Print it out and keep it accessible in your barn, truck, or wherever you manage your animals.
Information provided in part by Dr. Niki Whitley, Fort Valley State University, and reviewed by Dr. Ralph Noble, South Carolina State University. Information current as of June 10, 2026. This post is for informational purposes only — always consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
