Board issues import restrictions for states affected by New World Screwworm

St. Paul, MN: The Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced new import restrictions on the importation of dogs and cats from states with active New World Screwworm (NWS) infestations including a ban on importing any animals from an actively infested NWS site. These domestic restrictions are in addition to existing international restrictions on companion animal imports from NWS endemic areas published in April.

“Protecting Minnesota’s animals from NWS is a top priority and imports of NWS infested animals is the greatest risk to our state,” said Dr. Brian Hoefs, executive director of the Board and Minnesota’s State Veterinarian. “Adding some small measures to existing import regulations is a simple way we can continue to reduce the risk of importing NWS while allowing imports to continue.”

In early June, NWS maggots were found on animals in locations in Texas and New Mexico. Additional cases have been reported in Texas and are tallied by the USDA.

The Board’s requirements for bringing dogs and cats into Minnesota from endemic areas, which includes affected states:

• Animals from USDA-designated active NWS sites will not be allowed import to Minnesota. The Board of Animal Health will allow imports from states with USDA-active cases if they meet all import requirements outlined in this policy.
• A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) must be issued by an accredited veterinarian within 72 hours prior to transport. The CVI is valid for seven days from the date of issuance. The CVI must include the USDA-required certification attesting the animal has been inspected and determined to be free of NWS and that all applicable NWS import requirements have been satisfied.
• Email a valid rabies vaccination certificate or pet passport to pet. travel.bah@state.mn.us no later than three days before the animal’s arrival in Minnesota.
• An EPA- or FDA-approved NWS treatment must be administered to dogs and cats following the manufacturers’ dosing guidelines. The product name, dosage and date of treatment must be listed on the CVI and also emailed to pet.travel.bah@state.mn.us within five days of departure.
• All animals will be quarantined for a minimum of five days upon arrival in Minnesota. Board of Animal Health staff will verify the quarantine is being followed and confirm quarantine release details.
• Animals that do not meet import requirements will be quarantined for a minimum of 10 days and must be examined by a licensed veterinarian, who must confirm in writing that the animal is free of NWS and note the exam date.
• Immediately notify pet.travel.bah@state.mn.us if any signs of NWS develop during quarantine.

Animals entering the U.S. may also be subject to regulations from USDA and CDC.

NWS infestations are associated with the larva or maggots of the Cochiliomyia hominivorax, the New World Screwworm fly, which is a species of fly that lays eggs in tiny wounds or orifices of warm-blooded animals including livestock, pets, wildlife, and humans. Once hatched, the maggots feed on living tissue, in contrast to other species of fly larvae, which feed on dead tissue. Because of this live-flesh feeding habit, infestations will often cause secondary bacterial infections which present as painful open wounds. Severe infections have been known to cause death if not spotted and treated promptly.

For more information on Minnesota’s new guidelines, visit our website.

For more information on the USDA response to NWS including the latest update on recent infestations, visit screwworm.gov.