Florida expands animal import restrictions after new New World Screwworm detection in Mexico

Tallahassee, Florida – Florida is expanding restrictions on animals entering the state after another detection of New World Screwworm in Mexico, adding four California counties and five Arizona counties to the state’s list of high-risk areas.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the changes following the discovery of New World Screwworm in the Mexican state of Sonora. The additional restrictions are part of Florida’s continuing effort to keep the destructive pest from becoming established in the state.

The measures are being implemented under Emergency Rule 5CER26-7, which was previously issued by Simpson to strengthen protections against the possible introduction of New World Screwworm. The rule places additional requirements on the movement of warm-blooded animals into Florida from areas where the pest has been detected or where officials consider the risk to be elevated.

“Florida has been out front from the beginning when it comes to protecting our state from New World Screwworm. We have taken proactive steps to prepare for this threat, and we will continue to adjust our response based on where the threat is moving,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “Today’s action reflects the latest information available and ensures Florida’s existing protections are applied to newly designated infested and high-risk areas. We will stay ahead of this threat and continue to protect Florida’s livestock, pets, wildlife, and agricultural economy.”

The latest action does not mean the pest has been found in Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or FDACS, said there have been no detections of New World Screwworm in the state.

Instead, officials are responding to developments outside Florida by tightening controls on animal movement. The goal is to reduce the possibility that an infected animal could enter the state and introduce the pest to Florida’s livestock, pets, wildlife or agricultural operations.

The restrictions are different depending on whether an animal comes from an area classified as infested or a high-risk area.

For warm-blooded animals coming from an infested zone, Florida requires an FDACS Certificate of Animal Movement with a prior permission number. The request must be made two days before the animal is expected to arrive in the state.

The movement certificate also requires an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, commonly referred to as an OCVI. The veterinary certificate is valid for five days from the date of inspection and must document that all animals listed have been examined and found free of contagious and infectious diseases and pests, including New World Screwworm.

No alternative movement documents can be used instead of the required OCVI.

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The certificate must also include a specific statement confirming the animals have been inspected and are free from screwworm larvae infestation.

In addition, documentation must show that all animals listed on the OCVI have received an effective treatment for New World Screwworm.

Florida has also imposed a strict restriction involving shelter animals. Shelter animals cannot be imported into Florida from an infested state. The category includes warm-blooded animals under the care or custody of public or private animal shelters, humane organizations or animal control agencies when those animals originate in an infested state.

Animals coming from designated high-risk areas face somewhat different requirements, but an OCVI is still mandatory.

All warm-blooded animals entering Florida from a high-risk area must be accompanied by an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. The document must confirm that the animals have been inspected and found free of contagious and infectious diseases and pests, including New World Screwworm.

As with animals coming from infested zones, Florida will not accept alternative movement documents in place of the OCVI.

The certificate must include the statement, “All animals listed on the OCVI have been inspected and are free from screwworm larvae infestation.”

The OCVI is valid for no more than five days from the date of the veterinary inspection, meaning animal owners and those transporting animals will need to pay close attention to the timing of the required examination.

The newly designated California and Arizona counties are now subject to these high-risk requirements.

New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. The pest can cause serious injuries and can threaten animal health when infestations are not detected and treated.

The United States had eradicated New World Screwworm decades ago, but recent detections in Mexico and the southern United States have prompted renewed concern among animal health officials.

For Florida, the potential consequences extend beyond individual animals. The state’s agricultural industry, livestock producers, animal owners and wildlife could all be affected if the pest were introduced and became established.

That is why FDACS has been working with federal officials, state animal health authorities, veterinarians, livestock producers and wildlife partners to monitor the situation and adjust Florida’s response as needed.

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The department is encouraging veterinarians, livestock owners, animal shelters, rescue organizations and other animal health professionals to remain alert for possible signs of infestation.

One of the most important warning signs can be a slow-healing wound containing larvae. Officials say early detection and immediate reporting are critical to limiting the threat and protecting animal health.

The latest restrictions are part of a longer series of actions taken by FDACS as the threat moved closer to the United States.

In February 2025, the department established an internal Florida working group to develop guidance for veterinarians, producers and members of the public.

Several months later, on May 12, 2025, FDACS launched a statewide awareness and preparedness campaign. The effort was designed to increase public awareness and encourage veterinarians, livestock producers, shelters and animal health professionals to remain vigilant.

On May 19, 2025, Dr. Michael Short, the FDACS state veterinarian, joined the National Working Group on New World Screwworm to assist with planning and protocol development.

The department continued pushing for additional treatment options. In July 2025, Simpson called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency to develop and approve effective New World Screwworm treatments as quickly as possible.

Florida’s response became more restrictive in 2026.

On April 24, Simpson issued an emergency rule establishing enhanced import requirements for animals coming from high-risk areas. Then, on June 5, he issued Emergency Rule 5CER26-6 after the USDA confirmed New World Screwworm in Texas.

Five days later, on June 10, Simpson issued Emergency Rule 5CER26-7, expanding and strengthening emergency protections. Those measures included restrictions involving rescue and shelter animals from affected states as well as broader geographic controls on animal imports.

The same day, Simpson requested and received approval to add New World Screwworm to an executive order addressing the impacts of winter weather, drought, wildfire risks and related agricultural concerns.

The restrictions are now being adjusted again following the latest detection in Sonora, Mexico.

FDACS is urging anyone involved with animals to take possible signs of New World Screwworm seriously. Early reporting can help animal health officials investigate suspected cases and take action before an infestation has an opportunity to spread.

People who suspect New World Screwworm can contact FDACS during business hours at (850) 410-0900 or after hours at 1-800-342-5869. Reports can also be made by email or through the department’s New World Screwworm resources.

For sick or injured wildlife, including wildlife suspected of having a screwworm infestation, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission can be contacted at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

For now, Florida officials continue to emphasize that there have been no detections of New World Screwworm in the state. The expanding restrictions are a preventive measure aimed at keeping it that way.

As the pest’s geographic range and the areas considered at risk continue to change, FDACS says it will continue monitoring developments and adjusting Florida’s animal movement requirements accordingly. The department is advising animal owners and professionals to check the latest zone designations and movement requirements before bringing warm-blooded animals into Florida.