Important Update About New World Screwworm and Animal Movement Into PA

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture updated the previously released quarantine order put in place in response to the identification of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the United States. This quarantine order implements updated requirements for animal movement into Pennsylvania from NWS-affected areas. It impacts movement of livestock, birds, and companion animals. The USDA assures the U.S. food supply remains safe, including dairy products.

What dairy producers need to know about the updated order:

• Susceptible species of domestic animals (including livestock), other than dogs and cats:
  • That have been in a state with an active infested zone in the 7 days prior to the importation into Pennsylvania need to be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) from an accredited veterinarian or a document indicating freedom from New World Screwworm (NWS) infestation provided by a state or federal health official issued within 7 days prior to entry into or transit through Pennsylvania.
  • That in the 7 days prior to importation into Pennsylvania have been in or transported through an infested zone, in addition to the 7-day CVI requirement, shall be prophylactically treated with a systemic or topical product authorized by the USDA, FDA, or EPA for the treatment of NWS prior to entry and must be within the labeled duration of action or redosing period of the product upon entry or transit through Pennsylvania.
    • If there is no specified duration or redosing period on the label, then treatment must not happen more than 5 days prior to entry into the Commonwealth.
• Cattle moving to a USDA-FSIS inspected slaughter facility for slaughter within 72 hours of arrival are exempt from treatment requirements but must still have a 7-day CVI.

Definitions:

• Accredited veterinarian. A veterinarian approved by the United States Department of Agriculture in accordance with the provisions of 9 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) §161, Requirements and Standards for Accredited Veterinarians and Suspension or Revocation of Such Accreditation.
• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or CVI. An official document prepared by an accredited veterinarian of the state of origin certifying the health of the animal(s) described therein and validated by the chief livestock health official of the state of origin.
• Infested zone. A zone of at least 20 kilometers around NWS detections in animals or wild fly detections.

More Information: 

• There are additional updated provisions, specifically for cats and dogs. Click here to read the full Quarantine Order.
• To see the most recent information on NWS and the affected areas in the U.S., visit www.screwworm.gov.
• If you have questions about the updated Quarantine Order, contact the PA Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services with any questions regarding the Quarantine Order and/or updates at 717- 772-2852, or email at RA-ahds@pa.gov.