Protecting the Texas pork industry starts with staying informed. With sale season upon our producers and exhibitors, it is crucial that Texas swine producers, sale facilitators, and exhibitors are educated on risks, management practices, surveillance, and treatment if a case were to occur.
We’re sharing proactive educational resources on New World screwworm (NWS) to help swine producers understand the pest, recognize potential signs, and know where to turn for additional information.
While New World screwworm has not been reported in any swine herds, education and awareness are key tools in safeguarding our animals and our industry. This information is intended to support preparedness efforts and ensure producers have access to the latest guidance and resources.
Practical Prevention Practices for Sale Pigs
Per the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the chances of finding a NWS fly are low, so producers are encouraged to remain watchful and report suspicious maggots on their animals. However, there are preventative measures to take into consideration.
Common practices such as quickly treating and sealing wounds to ensure that the fly has no viable host are key practices in preventing NWS in your operation. Times this would be beneficial include, but are not limited to:
- Covering the site of where you tagged your animal for validation and/or an 840 tag
- Sealing an open wound from rubbing sites and surgeries
- Irritated vaccination sites
Recommendations for Show Pig Sales
Based on information shared from the USDA and TAHC, the association has compiled a list of recommendations that show pig sale facilitators should consider when preparing for the event.
- Connect with your local vet and ask them to be on-site to write health papers for pigs that will be shipped out of state
- To find an accredited veterinarian near you, visit the USDA’s VSPS Veterinary Services Process Streamlining
- Consider having all consignors give their pigs a dose of Dectomax prior to the sale for protection
As a reminder, any breeder located within NWS infested zone is required to contact TAHC to schedule an inspection and write the health papers needed to travel outside of the zone. Any sale within an infested zone must contact TAHC prior to the sale to set up a protocol to facilitate the event and plan for animal movement out of the infested zone. No matter if a sale is in an infested zone or a free area, it is federal law that any pigs shipped out of the state must have proper 840 tags and health papers.
The Texas Pork Producers Association is dedicated to keeping our producers and exhibitors up to date with proactive education about NWS. All updates and information will be provided on our New World Screwworm Resource page. For specific questions, please contact tppa@texaspork.org or the Texas Animal Health Commission at (512) 719-0700.