A New World screwworm (NWS) outbreak in Mexico has raised alarms at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The impact on livestock and wildlife—including game animals—could be devastating if the flying insect and the flesh-eating maggots it produces are not kept out.
A public health alert issued by the New Mexico Department of Health on Jan. 27 urged anyone who consumed wildlife from Holloman Lake, near Alamogordo, NM, between 2010 and 2024, to consult with their doctor or a medical professional.
A federally protected Mexican wolf was found dead northwest of Flagstaff, Ariz., on Nov. 7. The incident is under investigation, and a reward of up to $103,500 is available for information that leads to successful prosecution in the case.