USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) protects American agriculture by helping ensure the health of animals and plants.

[USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service @USDA_APHIS]

Join USDA experts for a free webinar, Secure Our Herds This Fall: Preventing Bird Flu on Dairy Farms on Sep. 24 at 2:30pm ET. Get the latest on bird flu in dairy cattle, available support for producers & biosecurity tips to prevent spread. Register now! https://t.co/rQGqZxRPqO

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

NWS Movement During Rain & Flooding 
As Hurricane Polo brings heavy rain and flash floods to the southwestern U.S., it may slow the movement of New World screwworm flies, but don’t let your guard down. Once skies clear, fly activity can surge.  

Safety comes first.  

➡️ Check animals as often as you safely can during storms.  
➡️ After the weather breaks, stay extra vigilant for fresh wounds or signs of NWS infestation, as post-storm injuries can attract NWS flies. 
➡️ Report anything suspicious immediately. 

Your vigilance protects your livestock. Keep checking, keep reporting, keep animals safe.

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

Texas Wildlife Surveillance Update 🐻🦌🦊 
Total animals observed in TX: 126,787 
Animals of interest flagged for follow up: 35 
Confirmed screwworm cases in wildlife: 0 
 
Since June 4, our @USDA teams in Texas have observed 126,787 animals, using drones, trail cameras, and on-the-ground checks to spot signs of New World screwworm, flagging 35 animals for additional scrutiny.  

If you see signs of NWS in wildlife, report it fast by calling APHIS Wildlife Services at 866-4USDA-WS or your state wildlife agency. #ProtectingAgriculture

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

ARS scientists are employing innovative modeling techniques to predict where New World screwworm infestations may emerge in the United States. This forward-thinking approach helps USDA agencies act earlier and respond faster with resources when needed. 

Learn more at: https://t.co/v9wt8kzXZZ

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

Number of the Day: 85,807 
Fly traps continue to be an important part of our multilayered surveillance system that also includes animal checks, drones, trail cams, on-the-ground monitoring, public outreach, and partnerships with states and industry. 

🪰 APHIS maintains and regularly checks 100+ NWS‑specific fly traps and 7,000+ insect traps along the border.  

🔬To date, more than 85,807 trapped flies have been submitted to USDA experts for identification, with only 1 wild NWS fly trapped to date.  

#USDAOnTheGround

[Dept. of Agriculture @USDA]

🚨 LIVE NOW: @SecRollins participates in fireside chat at World Dairy Expo ⬇️ https://t.co/TBLimL3o0c

[USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service @USDA_APHIS]

APHIS is hiring a Veterinary Medical Officer! Help strengthen the Horse Protection Act program through science-based expertise, national policy work, and stakeholder outreach. Multiple duty locations available. Apply by 10/6/2026.

https://t.co/E2EWKF1ISE https://t.co/Ud2uSsGOdY

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

From pastures to labs, USDA and our partners are on the move 🚜🔬 

New World screwworm surveillance remains strong—field teams, producers, veterinarians, and responders are working shoulder‑to‑shoulder to protect U.S. livestock.

Since June 3, @USDA has received 958 suspect cases, submitted by livestock producers, veterinarians, and the public. Of those, 51 cases were confirmed and only 3 are still active.

🐂⚡#ProtectingAgriculture

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

New World screwworm is not a food safety risk!

➡️ The U.S. food supply is safe.
➡️ New World screwworm spreads only when an NWS fly lays eggs in a wound of a living animal, not through meat, poultry, dairy, or any other food products.

Get the facts @ https://t.co/4Jqnvn8woZ #StopScrewworm

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

🐗 Feral swine cause major damage to farms – and they can carry pests like New World screwworm.

That’s why @USDA_APHIS Wildlife Services checks feral swine for signs of screwworm. So far, they have checked 11,916 feral swine near the southern border, with no signs of NWS.

If you see feral swine or any wild animal with suspicious wounds, contact APHIS Wildlife Services immediately at 866-4USDA-WS.

[Dept. of Agriculture @USDA]

☕️ We're staying out of The Great Coffee Debate. Whether you decide to bring coffee to an interview, one thing we can agree on is there’s a lot behind that cup of coffee—from the farmers who grow it to the global agricultural systems that bring it to your morning routine.

This #NationalCoffeeDay, raise a cup to the people, crops, and communities behind your daily brew. 🌱🧑‍🌾

[Agricultural Research Service @USDA_ARS]

Enjoy your favorite brew on #nationalcoffeeday!

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

🚧 Construction Update 🚧  
At Moore Air Base in Edinburg, TX, the New World Screwworm Sterile Fly Production Facility is rapidly transforming from foundation to framework. Crews are fitting major structural steel components into place, securing steel decking and roof assemblies. We are building this facility in record time! More updates coming soon!  

#BuildingAFlyFactory 🪰🛠️

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

📢 Texas Wildlife Surveillance Update 
Since June 4, over 1,519 ground observations have been conducted in Texas, inspecting over 19,167 animals as part of our ongoing New World screwworm surveillance efforts. This initiative is a crucial aspect of our broader wildlife surveillance program, reinforcing our aggressive, multilayered surveillance strategy that also uses drones and trail cameras.  

Find out more 👉 https://t.co/4Jqnvn94ex

[USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service @USDA_APHIS]

As part of USDA’s coordinated response, APHIS is making up to $5M in FY27 funding available to support response activities for the invasive pasture mealybug.

Learn more:

Pasture mealybug: https://t.co/hdEqDYm3qk https://t.co/i4mmMKIqTN

USDA response: https://t.co/jwsJRA6nNR

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

🚨 USDA has confirmed the first wild New World screwworm fly in a trap in Brewster County, Texas.

Our surveillance system is working — using targeted fly traps, animal checks, drones, trail cams, boots‑on‑the‑ground monitoring, and a network of partners tracking this pest.

We strategically place traps just outside of infested areas to avoid capturing sterile flies and better pinpoint where wild flies may be moving.

🔗 Learn more about trapping: https://t.co/kdgNCh67rY

[Dept. of Agriculture @USDA]

Happy National Public Lands Day 🌲

Today we celebrate the public lands that connect us to nature, support rural communities, provide opportunities for recreation, and help sustain healthy forests, grasslands, and watersheds.

From working forests to scenic landscapes, USDA is proud to help steward these treasured lands for generations to come.

Give back to public lands today by finding a volunteer event near you ➡️ https://t.co/HHSscHl7X2

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

✨New World Screwworm Grand Challenge Update✨ 

Whether it’s improving the efficacy of the sterile insect technique, developing larvicides, or strengthening training and outreach, several of the Grand Challenge projects are already making headway in their research. We’re in this for the long haul — we willkeep encouraging innovation until NWS is gone for good. 

Learn more about the Grand Challenge ➡️ Innovation and Research To Stop Screwworm 🔗 https://t.co/3ZPOujnxJp

https://t.co/4Jqnvn8woZ  #StopScrewworm

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

🪰 Tactical Fly Deployment is in Full Force! 🪰 

USDA teams are hitting the ground, releasing over 37,288,560 sterile flies from targeted chambers since February. 

This ground blitz works hand‑in‑hand with @USDA’s aerial sterile insect releases, flooding high‑risk areas with precision coverage to stop New World screwworm in its tracks. #USDAOnTheGround

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

New World screwworm trail camera surveillance 📸🦌🦊🦝 

In Texas, more than 100 trail cameras have observed more than 68,544 animals since June 4, supporting New World screwworm surveillance by checking wildlife for signs of infestation. The trail cameras complement drones, fly trapping, field examinations, and other @USDA surveillance tools.

[HungryPests @HungryPests]

Crisp air + colorful leaves = yes.
Invasive pests hitching a ride home = absolutely not. 🙅

Check, clean & remove pests and plant material from your gear before heading home. https://t.co/fShCAU9ELP

@NatlParkService
@Stop_AIS
@forestservice