By: Arizona Department of Agriculture
PHOENIX, Ariz. — The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) is announcing one additional confirmed case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Arizona. The case was identified near Thatcher (Graham County) in a canine, approximately 75 miles from Arizona’s index case and approximately 32 miles from the state’s closest active case. The affected dog is domesticated and has no known history of travel.
An expanded Infested Zone is established to include Graham County. Animal health officials establish mandatory 20 kilometer (12.4 miles) radius Infested Zones (IZ) around affected premises. No animals may leave Infested Zones until movement restrictions are lifted or under the direction of the State Veterinarian pursuant to the Continuity of Business and Pre-Movement Inspection process as outlined in the USDA New World Screwworm Response Playbook. Self-Inspection is suspended in the IZ while it is active.
This detection follows Arizona’s previous four confirmed cases involving an ovine and equine in Greenlee County and a canine and equine in Cochise County. AZDA invites Greenlee and Graham County residents, industry partners, local officials, and county departments to an informational meeting following the recent cases of NWS in those counties. This meeting will provide an opportunity to learn about the detections and response efforts, hear from agency representatives, and ask questions. All interested community members are welcome to attend. If you are a resident within the infested zone, you are highly encouraged to attend.
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Time: 5:00PM – 7:00PM
Location: Lee Little Theater, Eastern Arizona College, 1020 N College Ave, Thatcher, AZ 85552
Who: Arizona Department of Agriculture Director Paul Brierley and State Veterinarian Ryan Wolker
The Department is continuing to coordinate closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), neighboring states, and Mexican counterparts to support regional NWS response efforts. USDA continues to move forward with the release of sterile flies in surrounding areas as well as the construction of a dispersal facility in Douglas, Arizona.
We encourage livestock owners, livestock auctions, processing facilities, pet owners, animal shelters, hunters, and other stakeholders to be extremely vigilant and observant with animals in their care or custody. If any unusual wounds are noticed that appear to be infested with maggots consistent with NWS, please report those immediately to diseasereporting@azda.gov or by calling 602-542-4293 during business hours 8:00AM-5:00PM Monday through Friday.
Similarly, if hunters or other outdoor recreationists encounter wildlife that appear to be infested, please contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 623-236-7201. Please ensure that GPS coordinates of the approximate location of the wildlife are captured.
Current information regarding the NWS situation in Arizona, including new cases and detailed maps, can be found here. You can search your location on the map to see how far you are from the IZ.