Arizona Implements New Travel Rules for Pets Amid Screwworm Outbreak
Arizona has introduced new travel guidelines for dogs and cats as the state confirms six cases of New World screwworm, prompting stricter movement controls within and out of infested zones.
Arizona's Office of the State Veterinarian has issued updated travel guidance for dogs and cats as the state confirms six cases of New World screwworm (NWS), according to a memo dated November 9, 2026, signed by Sarah Heinrich, DVM, assistant state veterinarian with the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) (1). The guidance outlines requirements for pets moving within and out of infested zones, emphasizing the need for state permits and veterinary inspections to prevent the spread of the parasite (1). [1]
Pets outside an infested zone in Arizona currently face no movement restrictions within the state and do not require special permits to leave Arizona (1). However, the memo advises pet owners planning to travel to review the destination state's import requirements, which can be found on interstatelivestock.com, and to consult a USDA-accredited veterinarian for a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) (1). [1]
Dogs and cats moving within Arizona from an infested zone must be treated with an FDA-approved, conditionally approved, or emergency-authorized medication for NWS (1). Leaving Arizona from an infested zone requires an Arizona NWS premovement permit, an electronic CVI, and any additional requirements from the destination state (1). The memo also emphasizes that destination state entry permit numbers must be obtained directly from the destination state (1). [1]
Arizona has established three active 20-km (12.4-mile) infested zones surrounding confirmed New World screwworm (NWS) detections. These zones are located in Cochise County, Greenlee County, and Graham County. Each zone is managed by Arizona’s Office of the State Veterinarian, which enforces strict movement restrictions for animals within the zones. Animals cannot leave an infested zone until movement restrictions are lifted, unless the state veterinarian explicitly authorizes otherwise. The first confirmed NWS case in Arizona was detected in a dog in Cochise County on October 28, 2026, and confirmed by the USDA’s APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. This case triggered the initial infested zone, which later expanded to include additional detections in Greenlee County and Graham County. [1]
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The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) has confirmed a total of six NWS cases as of November 13, 2026, including two in dogs, three in horses, and one in a sheep. The fifth case was a domesticated dog near Thatcher in Graham County, which was approximately 75 miles from the index case and 32 miles from the closest active case. An expanded infested zone was established to include Graham County due to this detection. The sixth case was a domesticated horse near Pearce in Cochise County, located approximately 5 miles from the index case. These detections have prompted the AZDA to issue travel guidance for dogs and cats leaving infested zones, requiring permits, electronic certificates of veterinary inspection, and compliance with destination state requirements. [1]
The USDA is actively responding to the NWS outbreak by continuing sterile fly releases and constructing a sterile fly dispersal facility in Douglas, Arizona. This facility is part of a broader strategy to control and eventually eliminate the NWS population. Veterinarians, animal shelters, livestock producers, and pet owners are required to inspect animals daily for open wounds and report any suspected NWS infestations immediately to the AZDA. Reports should be sent to diseasereporting@azda.gov or by contacting AZDA Animal Services at 602-542-4293 during business hours. This reporting protocol is essential for rapid containment and management of the outbreak. [1]
Arizona has confirmed six cases of New World screwworm (NWS) in animals, including two in dogs, three in horses, and one in a sheep, according to the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) case dashboard as of November 13, 2026 (1). The state has established three active infested zones, each with a mandatory 20-km (12.4-mile) radius around confirmed detections (1). The first case was detected in a dog in Cochise County on October 28, 2026, and confirmed by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa (1). [1]
The fifth case involved a domesticated dog near Thatcher in Graham County with no known history of travel, leading to an expanded infested zone that includes Graham County (1). The sixth case was a domesticated horse near Pearce in Cochise County, also with no known history of travel, and located approximately 5 miles from the index case (1). The Arizona Department of Agriculture has suspended self-inspection within active infested zones until movement restrictions are lifted (1). [1]
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The USDA continues its efforts to combat the spread of NWS through sterile fly releases and the construction of a sterile fly dispersal facility in Douglas, Arizona (1). Veterinarians, animal shelters, and pet owners are urged to inspect animals daily for open wounds and report any suspected NWS infestations to the Arizona Department of Agriculture immediately (1). [1]
Sources
Prepared with AI assistance from the cited sources.
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