11/06/2026
🚨 Attention Lincoln County Pet Owners 🚨
We want to keep you informed about a critical animal health update in our state. Lincoln County is currently in a New World Screwworm surveillance zone, directly adjacent to actively infested counties.
New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including our beloved dogs and cats. If left untreated, these infestations can become severe very quickly. Because we are in a surveillance zone, vigilance is our best defense!
🛫 Traveling with Your Pets? Strict Rules Now Apply!
If you plan to travel with your dog or cat out of New Mexico, across county lines, or internationally, please be aware of tight regulatory requirements to prevent the spread of screwworm:
• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI): For interstate travel, your pet must have a valid CVI (health certificate) issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
• Screwworm-Free Documentation: Many states and regions now require explicit, signed documentation from an accredited veterinarian certifying that the animal has been inspected and found free of New World Screwworm.
• Tight 5-Day Travel Window: Inspections, screwworm-free statements, and movement certificates must generally be completed within 5 days prior to travel.
• International & Border Crossings: If you are traveling across the U.S.–Mexico border, a dedicated New World Screwworm inspection document signed by an accredited veterinarian within 5 days of arrival is strictly required for entry.
What to watch for in your pets:
• 🩹 Open wounds, scratches, or insect bites that aren't healing or are getting worse.
• 🪱 Visible maggots or larvae inside a wound.
• ⚠️ Swelling, oozing discharge, or a foul odor coming from a scratch.
• 🐾 Pets constantly licking, biting, or scratching at a specific spot.
• 🛑 Restlessness, hiding, or unusual behavior.
How to protect your furry family members:
1. Inspect regularly: Check your dogs and cats daily for any minor cuts, scratches, or tick bites.
2. Treat wounds immediately: Clean, disinfect, and protect even minor scratches promptly to keep flies away.
3. Keep your pets on a high quality flea/tick medication.
4. Schedule travel exams early: Call us as soon as you know your travel dates so we can secure your 5-day inspection window.
What to do if you suspect screwworm:
Contact us immediately so we can safely evaluate your pet.
Stay informed, check the latest maps, or report a suspected case directly by visiting the official multi-agency resource site:
👉 screwwormnm.org
View the most up-to-date active zones here:
👉 View NM Infested Zone Map (Click "View NM Infested Zone Map" on the homepage for the latest updates)
Let’s work together to keep Lincoln County pets safe and healthy! 🐶🐱❤️
Information for New Mexico producers, veterinarians, humans, livestock, and communities about New World Screwworm awareness, prevention, monitoring, and reporting.
