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USDA Confirms New Mexico Screwworm, Quarantines 12.4 Miles

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 6:10 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

USDA Declares Screwworm Zone

USDA confirms New Mexico horse infected with New World screwworm.
New Mexico Department of Agriculture establishes a 12.4-mile infested zone, banning animal movement without inspection.
Surveillance zone covering Silver City, Tyrone, and Faywood urges owners to monitor livestock.
USDA leads eradication effort using sterile-insect releases, pesticides, and animal-movement quarantines.
USDA seeks EPA approval for a genetically modified all-male screwworm strain currently field-tested.

Summary

USDA Reopens Santa Teresa

USDA will reopen Santa Teresa port on Sept. 24, restoring about 40% of U.S. cattle imports from Mexico.
The port closure pushed beef prices to record highs for American consumers, Reuters reported.
USDA has spent more than $1.3 billion on screwworm response, including surveillance, drones, and sterile-fly releases.
Officials expect the reopened port to ease supply pressure and revive commerce for cross-border livestock-dependent communities.

History

Historical Context

In 1952, the United States Department of Agriculture initiated a sterile-insect program that eliminated the New World screwworm from the lower 48 states by 1955. The effort, overseen by the EPA, cost $30 million, released one billion sterile flies, and cut screwworm infestations by 99% nationwide. Today, the USDA imposes a 12.4-mile quarantine around Silver City, spends $1.3 billion on sterile-screwworm releases, and asks the EPA to approve an all-male engineered strain. Reopening Santa Teresa port on Sept. 24 restores 40% of U.S. cattle imports from Mexico, echoing the 1950s eradication’s trade boost and to lower beef prices.

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USDA Declares Screwworm Zone

USDA confirms New Mexico horse infected with New World screwworm.
New Mexico Department of Agriculture establishes a 12.4-mile infested zone, banning animal movement without inspection.
Surveillance zone covering Silver City, Tyrone, and Faywood urges owners to monitor livestock.
USDA leads eradication effort using sterile-insect releases, pesticides, and animal-movement quarantines.
USDA seeks EPA approval for a genetically modified all-male screwworm strain currently field-tested.

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