Lawmakers Unveil 14-Sponsor Screwworm Bill After New Mexico Dog Infection
Updated
Updated · Albuquerque Journal · Jun 19
Lawmakers Unveil 14-Sponsor Screwworm Bill After New Mexico Dog Infection
2 articles · Updated · Albuquerque Journal · Jun 19
Summary
A bipartisan House bill would create USDA grants to train inspectors and fund research after New World screwworm was detected in a dog in Lea County, New Mexico, earlier this month.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez said the Protecting America’s Herd Act would direct support to high-risk states and tribal communities, with staffing, technology and education likely costing millions of dollars.
Lawmakers also urged USDA to speed completion of a Texas sterile-fly facility, which would release sterile males to suppress outbreaks because female screwworms mate only once.
State veterinarian Samantha Holeck said the infected dog has healed and the case is now inactive; traps have caught only sterile flies from aerial drops, and routine surveillance continues.
The push follows concerns dating to 2025 detections in Oaxaca and Veracruz, while officials say screwworm is not a food-safety threat and cattle and dairy sectors have seen no economic impact.