Centralizing warnings, documentation tools, and emergency advisories in one website may help stop a New World screwworm (NWS) before it spreads north, New Mexico officials hope.
Ranchers in the American Southwest view the threat of this deadly livestock parasite as almost medieval: a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds, its larvae then burrow into living flesh and invade tissue from within.
The parasite has long plagued livestock industries across the Americas, causing immense losses before eradication campaigns in the late 20th century. Now, as concerns spread further amid concerns of transmission into the United States, state officials are betting that information, delivered quickly and clearly, may be one of New Mexico’s most important lines of defense.
One-stop shop platform
This week, the state launched ScrewwormNM.org. It is a one-stop shop website that provides residents across the state with real-time information about New World screwworm infestations, including how to spot cases, protect animals and people, and document suspected outbreaks.
The site consolidates advisories from multiple agencies, including the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, the New Mexico Livestock Board, health officials, and wildlife authorities. It creates what state officials describe as a “single source of truth” if the parasite emerges in the state.
The move reflects increasing recognition among agricultural and public health officials: rapid communication can be as critical as medical intervention in mitigating outbreaks. Unlike ordinary pests, New World screwworm larvae infest open wounds and feed on living tissue, often causing catastrophic injuries in livestock and wildlife if left untreated. Pets are also vulnerable. And in rare instances, humans may become hosts.
Infestations can spread quickly. “Cases in animals can deteriorate rapidly if not addressed early,” said Dr. Samantha Holeck, the state veterinarian with the New Mexico Livestock Board. “Having guidance in one place supports faster diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and timely reporting, all key to limiting spread.”
Help prevent New World screwworm outbreak
Officials say the website is not only for ranchers and veterinarians. It is also for hunters, pet owners, and rural residents who may detect abnormal wounds in animals.
New Mexico Department of Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte said the initiative seeks to prevent panic while encouraging vigilance. “This website provides clear, accurate information in one place from the agencies leading the response,” Witte said. “Be alert, not alarmed — early detection and strong communication are vital to protecting animals and public health.”
The NWS website includes photographs and identification tools to help users identify infestations, reporting instructions, and emergency contact information for experts and state agencies. If New World screwworm is detected in New Mexico, officials said, the site will become the state’s primary platform for outbreak updates and response actions.
The site also complements the federal government’s national information portal, Screwworm.gov, which oversees countrywide messaging and response efforts.
The stakes are enormous, particularly for a state where ranching remains both an economic engine and a cultural identity. A screwworm outbreak could devastate livestock operations, disrupt trade, and cause significant environmental harm to wildlife populations.
But officials say preparedness starts with something simple. That is to make sure people know what they are looking at before it is too late.
With that in mind, the state’s New World screwworm website is not only a public information portal. It is also an attempt to establish an early-warning system driven not only by veterinarians and government agencies, but by ordinary people armed with timely information.