Animal Health Alerts

June 4, 2026 - Interstate Movement Requirements for New World Screwworm Detection:

Purpose and Scope.  New World screwworm (“NWS”) is the fly, eggs, pupae, or larvae of the genus and species Cochliomyia hominivorax.  NWS myiasis is a parasitic disease where larvae feed on living tissue of animals at the edge of wounds or on mucus membranes such as nostrils, ears, eye orbits, mouth, and genitalia.  NWS can spread to all warm-blooded mammals, including livestock, birds, companion animals, human beings, etc.  Without proper medical intervention, NWS infections may be fatal.

Whereas, NWS myiasis has been detected in the continental United States, now posing significant risk and imminent harm to the health of Tennessee’s animals.  Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-2-102 and in addition to any active limitations ordered by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), the purpose and scope of this Order is to temporarily restrict the interstate movement of certain animals coming into Tennessee from NWS susceptible or infected areas.

Definitions.  For purposes of this Order, the definitions set forth in Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-2-101 and Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 0080-02-01 shall apply.  The following definitions shall also apply:

Animals – Cattle, bison, all equidae, sheep, goats, swine, dogs, cats, all avian species, and Class III animals as classified by Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-403(3).

Authorized representative – Any employee of the state or federal government, or a licensed and accredited veterinarian, who is authorized to conduct animal disease control and eradication activities.

Effective treatment – A systemic product that is experimentally, conditionally, or fully licensed, or approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, Center for Biologics or the United States Food and Drug Administration, for use in animals effective against internal or external parasites and shown to be effective against NWS larvae in peer reviewed scientific literature.  The dosage given must match the rate known to effectively treat NWS.

High-risk county – A county in the United States bordering a Mexican state that has an established population of NWS.  High-risk counties are considered high-risk until Mexican federal officials declare the Mexican state free of NWS, as recognized by the USDA Animal Health and Plant Inspection Service.

Infested state – A state in the United States, with 3 or more confirmed detections of either NWS in an animal or presence of the NWS fly in the state, that is suspected to have an established reproducing NWS fly population.  Infested states are considered infested until state or federal officials declares it free of NWS.

Infested zone – Any county or geographic area where NWS has been confirmed and that is suspected to have an established NWS fly population, as determined by USDA or a state animal health official.  Infested zones are considered infested until state or federal officials declare it free of NWS.

Wound – A non-healed traumatically or surgically induced open lesion of any size on an animal.  This term includes fresh brands, dehorning scars, and castration sites that have not fully healed.

Import Requirements.  A combination of surveillance, testing, treatment, and movement restrictions on interstate trade are essential to combat and eradicate NWS myiasis.  Except where more stringent requirements are adopted in this Order, all animals imported into Tennessee from infested zones, infested states, and high-risk counties shall meet the requirements of Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-02-01.

Animals imported to Tennessee from outside an infested zone but within an infested state or high-risk county shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) from an authorized representative declaring all the animals listed on the CVI were inspected and found free of NWS.  The CVI must include the statement, “All animals listed on the CVI have been inspected and are free from screwworm larvae infestation.”  The CVI shall be valid for no more than 7 days from the date of inspection.

Animals imported to Tennessee from an infested zone shall be accompanied by a CVI from an authorized representative declaring all animals listed on the CVI were given effective treatment for NWS.  The CVI must include the statement, “All animals listed on the CVI have been inspected and are free from screwworm larvae infestation.”  The CVI shall be valid for no more than 7 days from the date of inspection.  Additionally, the following requirements shall also apply:

1)     The CVI must document the effective treatment by listing the treatment, the treatment’s date, route of administration, medication, and the full name and signature of the authorized representative.

2)     The CVI must include prior permission and the entry permit number, as approved by the Tennessee State Veterinarian’s Office (“TVSO”) at least 48 hours prior to entry into Tennessee.

3)     All effective treatments must be administered by or directly overseen by an authorized representative.

4)     Effective oral or injected treatments must be administered no less than 12 hours and no more than 14 days prior to entry into Tennessee.  Effective topical treatments must be administered no less than 72 hours and no more than 14 days prior to entry into Tennessee.

5)     All animals in the shipment must be free of wounds.

6)     If any animal in the shipment is suspected to have NWS or has wounds, the shipment will not be allowed entry until the suspect animal is examined, appropriately tested, effectively treated, and all wounds are healed.

Exemptions.  The following shall be exempt from all or part of this Order, in accordance with the below:

1)     Dairy calves may be exempt from the movement time period after effective treatment if all calves were reinspected and found free of NWS larvae and wounds, and prior permission with an approved entry permit number has been obtained from the TSVO within 48 hours prior to movement.  The accompanying CVI must have been issued within 7 days prior to entry into Tennessee and include the TSVO entry permit number.

2)     Poultry hatching, table eggs, and chicks under 5 days of age shall be fully exempt from this Order’s movement requirements.

3)     Poultry under National Poultry Improvement Plan Types B, C, and D, born and raised indoors, moving on a USDA Veterinary Services (VS) Form 9-3, in accordance with Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-02-01-.10, shall be exempt from this Order’s movement requirements.

4)     Swine moving in completely closed systems where producers are using fly/pest deterrents as part of the Secure Pork Supply Plan shall be exempt from this Order’s movement requirements.

5)     Shipments of animals solely intended for slaughter may be permitted entry on a case-by-case basis, provided the animals move straight to slaughter and are not comingled with other animals in Tennessee or allowed to unload outside the slaughter facility’s grounds.  An inspection by a state or federal Animal Health official is required for each load, and each load shall be sealed with a USDA issued seal and accompanied by a USDA Veterinary Services (VS) Form 1-27 with a statement declaring, “All animals in the shipment have been individually examined and found to be free of screwworm larvae infestation.”

Note: Suspected cases of NWS must be reported to the TSVO at (615) 837-5120 or animal.health@tn.gov within 24 hours.  All industry participants are urged to watch for and take immediate action if the most common symptoms of drainage, discharge of purulent material, blood, serum, or enlargement of a pre-existing wound are observed.  Other noticeable symptoms include when an animal displays signs of discomfort, lethargy, depression, isolation, and/or possessing distinctive odors.

Therefore, I, Dr. Samantha Beaty, as State Veterinarian of the State of Tennessee, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me under the laws of the State of Tennessee, do hereby order the above, effective immediately.  This Order shall expire on September 4, 2026, unless extended or rescinded.

It is so ordered.

HPAI in Dairy Cattle Information

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a contagious viral disease that primarily affects birds but has also been detected in lactating dairy cattle. Because HPAI can impact animal health, farm operations and people who work closely with infected animals, we are providing information to support awareness, prevention and timely response.

Recommendations for Cattle Owners

Protecting your herd starts with strong everyday biosecurity. Cattle owners can help reduce the risk of HPAI entering or spreading within a herd by taking these steps:

• Quarantine new animals for at least two weeks before adding them to an established herd.
• Test animals before any necessary movement.
• Limit animal movements whenever possible.
• Separate sick cattle from the rest of the herd.

Cattle owners should also monitor their herd closely for signs of illness, including:

• Decreased milk production across the herd.
• A sudden sharp drop in milk production.
• Reduced appetite or feed consumption.
• Abnormal feces and/or fever.

Report signs of illness right away. If cattle in your herd are showing signs of illness, contact your local veterinarian, the State Veterinarian’s Office at (615) 837-5120, or USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at 1-866-536-7593.

See Where HPAI Has Been Confirmed in Dairy Herds

Frequently Asked Questions