Gila Herald Staff Reports
COCHISE COUNTY — State agriculture and federal officials urge local livestock owners, pet owners, and outdoor enthusiasts across Southern Arizona to stay vigilant after confirming the state’s first index case of New World screwworm (NWS).
The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA), in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced the detection on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The case involved a dog in Cochise County after a local veterinarian examined the animal on the evening of Oct. 26 and found a wound on its back heavily infested with maggots matching NWS characteristics. Federal testing subsequently confirmed the species.
The affected dog remains under veterinary care as state officials work alongside the attending veterinarian and owner to conduct an epidemiological investigation.
“We have been preparing for this possibility for a long while and are acting swiftly,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Wolker. “Because of the extensive outreach, coordination, and surveillance already in place, Arizona producers, veterinarians, and pet owners know what to look for and how to report suspected cases. That preparation is allowing us to move quickly to protect animal health in the state.”
Regional Response Underway
In response to the confirmed case, federal authorities are working to establish an Infested Zone, step up animal surveillance, and expand local outreach efforts. AZDA is coordinating closely with the USDA, neighboring states, and Mexican officials to integrate the case into broader regional containment efforts.
To prevent the pest from becoming established, AZDA has advocated releasing sterile flies in the affected area. Plans to build a Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in nearby Douglas, Arizona, continue to move forward.
State officials note that AZDA and the University of Arizona’s Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT) have spent the past year preparing for potential cases following previous NWS detections in Texas, New Mexico, and Sonora. Together, they have conducted more than 60 tabletop exercises, industry workshops, and training sessions.
How to Identify and Report Suspected Cases
State agencies are calling on livestock producers, pet owners, animal shelters, auction facilities, and hunters to closely inspect animals for unusual or infested wounds.
- Domestic Animals & Livestock: If you spot an unusual wound infested with maggots, report it immediately to the Arizona Department of Agriculture by emailing diseasereporting@azda.gov or calling 602-542-4293 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
- Wildlife: Hunters and outdoor recreationists who encounter wildlife showing signs of infestation should contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 623-236-7201. Callers should note the GPS coordinates of where the animal was seen.
