06/13/2026
Community Awareness | New World Screwworm(TRIGGER WARNING OPEN WOUNDS)
Friends and neighbors, we want to make sure our Arkansas Valley community has accurate, up to date information about something that is actively moving closer to home right now.
What is the New World Screwworm?
New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays its eggs in the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, often in open wounds. The larvae feed on the host's tissue, causing wounds to deepen and expand into serious flesh damage, infection, and potentially death if not detected in time. It can affect livestock, wildlife, pets, birds, and rarely, people. It was eradicated from the United States in the 1960s. It is back.
Where is it right now?
As of June 9, 2026, there are six confirmed cases in the United States including four cattle, one goat, and one dog. The dog case was confirmed in Lea County, New Mexico on June 8, 2026. The confirmed case in Lea County sits just across our southern border. That is a day's drive. A livestock trailer, the most likely vehicle to carry an infected animal or a hitchhiking fly, makes that run routinely.
What is Colorado doing?
Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin has put specific, enforceable rules in effect as of June 10, 2026. Here is what they actually require:
Any animal from a USDA designated Infested Zone must enter Colorado only with a Certificate for Movement from the state animal health official in the state of origin, submitted alongside a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
Animals must be inspected by an authorized veterinarian within five days prior to movement. Animals with open wounds must be treated with an authorized product within 14 days prior to movement. An entry permit must be requested from the Colorado State Veterinarian's Office within 48 hours of movement. Upon arrival in Colorado, animals must again be inspected by an authorized veterinarian or official.
This includes dogs and cats. All pets entering Colorado from a state with an active Infested Zone must be inspected by a veterinarian and have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within five days prior to arrival, confirming the animals were found free of any evidence of infestation. Anyone violating these rules is subject to an order to return their animals or a quarantine order. The rule runs from June 10 through October 8.
Physical checkpoints at the state line have not been activated yet. But that does not mean our community has to wait.
What can you do?
Inspect your animals daily. Look for unusual wounds, foul smelling sores, unusual behavior, or any sign of maggots near wounds or body openings, including the nose, ears, eyes, and genitalia. If you suspect a case, your first call is to the Colorado State Veterinarian's Office at 303-869-9130 or [email protected]. Isolate the animal immediately and follow the instructions the state gives you directly. Every situation may be handled differently and the state will guide you through their specific protocol. That said, it will most likely include steps along these lines:
Isolate the infected or suspected animal from the rest of the herd or household immediately
Do not move the animal off the property
Extract larvae from the wound if safely possible
Kill the larvae in a sealed container of 70% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol
Label the container and hold it for delivery to your veterinarian or state authorities for identification
Do not attempt to treat the animal yourself without veterinary guidance
Always follow the state's instructions. The steps above are general guidance only.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture is also hosting free public webinars. Demand has been high enough that the next session has been extended to 90 minutes. Register at ag.colorado.gov/NWS.
State animal health hotline: 303-869-9130
Email: [email protected]
Where does HFBC stand?
At Hoarding and Forensics Bio-Cleaners Ltd, we are actively reaching out to the Colorado Department of Agriculture and CSU Extension offices to find out what role biohazard and forensic remediation professionals can play in supporting our community's response. We are far from the state's hub, and when a suspected case arises in our region the state veterinarian's office will need time to mobilize. HFBC has biohazard containment training and experience that may allow us to serve as a rapid response resource in the Arkansas Valley while the state gets boots on the ground. We do not have all the answers yet. But we are asking the questions, and we will share what we learn with this community as soon as we have it. If there is a way for HFBC to help protect our Arkansas Valley neighbors, their animals, and their properties, we will be there.
What can we do at the community level?
State measures are a starting point. The Arkansas Valley has always looked out for itself, and this situation is no different. We are asking our community to start having this conversation now, before it arrives at our doorstep.
To the feedlot operators, sale barn and auction house staff, ranchers, and ag professionals in our area: we want to hear from you. What do you need? What gaps do you see? Are there inspection protocols, communication networks, or community level safeguards that we can build together right now without waiting on state direction?
This is not about panic. It is about being the kind of community that does not wait to be told what to do. If you have ideas, resources, or concerns, bring them to the table. Comment below, reach out to us directly, or talk to your neighbors. The conversation starts here.
We will keep you updated as this situation develops. Stay informed. Stay vigilant.
📍 Serving Southeast Colorado
📞 [719-469-6050] Email: [email protected]
Sources:
USDA APHIS | CDC | Colorado Department of Agriculture | Screwworm.gov