Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) convened an ad hoc panel discussion this week with State Veterinarian Dr. Hallie Hasel, State Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr. Samantha Allen, and Public Health Veterinarian, Dr. Emily Curren of the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) to drive proactive protective communication efforts aimed at reaching all Wyoming citizens with safety protocols regarding the New World Screwworm (NWS). The Governor called the collaborative session to expand lines of communication regarding the NWS prior to Wyoming’s peak summer travel, backcountry, and rodeo season.

State officials confirm that to-date outside of Texas and New Mexico there are no reported outbreaks of the NWS in the United States.

“There are no reported cases in Wyoming; however, Texas and New Mexico are tracking instances, so it is important to keep all citizens informed—including pet owners, campers, rodeo athletes, and sportsmen, in addition to our ag, ranching and wildlife communities.” Governor Gordon said. “I’m satisfied with the extensive outreach regarding NWS that has been ongoing to our ag, livestock, and wildlife professionals.”

Members of the advisory panel meet regularly to discuss NWS and other pertinent issues related to agriculture, livestock, and wildlife, proactively tracking federal protocols alongside  our federal partners in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

“The USDA has done an exceptional job on their Response Playbook, creating a valuable working document that provides specific details for reducing and preventing infestations, while also meeting critical resource needs,” Dr. Hasel said.

The Governor and Dr. Hasel opined they have complete confidence livestock professionals transporting animals interstate are following protocol to keep Wyoming safe.

The Governor and panelists fielded questions from Tom Hirsig, President and CEO of Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD), and Wyoming outfitter Lee Livingston, and heard commentary from Doug Miyamoto, Director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Dr. Alexandra Brower Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL),  Angi Bruce, Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), and Steven True, Director, the Wyoming Livestock Board.

Key takeaways from the discussion include:

1. There are no reported outbreaks associated with the NWS in Wyoming.
2. NWS feed on and lay eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals, including humans.
3. Transmission to humans is very rare.
4. NWS is not a food safety issue.
5. Livestock and domesticated animals should be checked regularly, daily if possible.
6. Persistent, painful open wounds?  Contact your vet or medical doctor.
7. Keeping fly populations under control at rodeo events protects animals and people by curbing open wounds.
8. Protocols for safe animal transport into Wyoming are in place.
9. Wildlife and game populations are being monitored for early indicators of fly strikes.

For more information, access the complete national response framework via the official online USDA Screwworm Response Playbook. The  NWS Companion Animal Resources for Owners and Vets is cited as an excellent resource for pet owners and veterinarians.