Secretary Rollins Shuts Down U.S. Southern Border Ports to Livestock Trade due to further Northward Spread of New World Screwworm in Mexico

(Washington, D.C., July 9, 2025)- Yesterday, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) reported a new case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Veracruz, Mexico, approximately 160 miles northward of the current sterile fly dispersal grid, 370 miles south of the U.S./Mexico border.

While USDA announced a risk-based phased port re-opening strategy for cattle, bison, and equine from Mexico beginning as early as July 7, 2025, this newly reported NWS case raises significant concern about the previously reported information shared by Mexican officials and severely compromises the outlined port reopening schedule of five ports from July 7-September 15. Therefore, in order to protect American livestock and our nation’s food supply, Secretary Rollins has ordered the closure of livestock trade through southern ports of entry effective immediately.

For the complete press release, please visit: Secretary Rollins Takes Decisive Action and Shuts Down U.S. Southern Border Ports to Livestock Trade due to further Northward Spread of New World Screwworm in Mexico | Home

The New Mexico Livestock Board is performing scrapie surveillance testing on sheep between 1.5-5 years of age that meet the genetic profile (black-faced/ mottle-faced meat sheep and their crosses) at NO COST to the producer. Sampling consists of drawing blood and performing a biopsy. New Mexico is a scrapie-free state, but needs to test to maintain its scrapie-free status.

If interested contact the New Mexico Livestock Board at (505) 841-6161 or email Dr. Alexandra Eckhoff at alexandra.eckhoff@nmlb.nm.gov . 

The rule regarding Equine Infectious Anemia is now in effect permanently . Please see the document below for the official rule and details.