A New World screwworm case was detected in Florida in early February 2026, found in a horse arriving from Argentina at a quarantine facility. The USDA and Florida Department of Agriculture confirmed the larvae were identified during routine inspection, and it does not indicate a domestic infestation or U.S. outbreak.
Case Details: The detection occurred late in the week of Feb. 3, 2026, at an equine import quarantine facility.
- No Local Infestation: The infected horse was immediately treated, and officials emphasized this was an imported case caught by established inspection protocols.
- Previous Outbreaks: The last major local infestation of New World screwworm in Florida was a 2016-2017 outbreak in Key deer in the Florida Keys.
- Current Status: As of early 2026, there are no reports of established populations in the U.S., according to the USDA.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services maintains surveillance, and this recent, isolated case highlights the effectiveness of current quarantine procedures.
