The Mexican state of Sonora, which borders Arizona, confirmed its first case of New World screwworm (NWS) this week. The case was reported in a cow in southern Sonora, about 292 miles from the U.S. border. According to Sonora’s Ministry of Agriculture, the state immediately activated surveillance, containment and control protocols, including the release of 360,000 sterile NWS flies in the area. Sonora has been identified as one of the lowest-risk Mexican states for NWS due to its historically strong animal health protocol.
While the Sonora case has been detected just days before the August 24 reopening of the port in Douglas, AZ, to livestock from Mexico, USDA indicated there are no plans for a delay. A statement posted to the agency’s NWS rapid response X account yesterday (8/20) said USDA is fully engaged with the confirmed NWS case in Sonora and “we have no plans to change the Douglas, AZ, port reopening on 8/24.”
USDA further specified the most complete entry inspection protocols possible had been added at the port last month, including enhanced surveillance, rapid diagnostic capacity, pre-treatment processes weeks in advance, layered inspections before and at the port, sophisticated communication, and coordinated response protocols.
“The necessary resources—personnel, technology, laboratory support, and interagency coordination—are in place and ready in Douglas. We remain committed to continuous monitoring and will adjust protocols as conditions warrant to maintain the highest standards,” the statement said.