Arizona confirms fifth New World screwworm case

Arizona has confirmed a fifth case of New World screwworm in Graham County, 12News reported.

What happened

The case is in Graham County, in southeastern Arizona. It is the fifth New World screwworm case confirmed in Arizona.

The confirmation marks a new event in the state’s response to the parasite. The information available for this report does not establish the animal involved, the date of confirmation, or the location within Graham County.

Why the case matters

New World screwworm is a parasitic insect whose larvae can affect living tissue. The confirmation places Graham County among the Arizona communities connected to the state’s reported cases.

The number of confirmed cases is now five. That count describes cases confirmed in Arizona; it does not by itself describe the size or spread of the situation in Graham County.

What residents should watch

Residents should watch for updates from state agriculture and animal-health officials about the case, any steps for livestock or pets, and whether officials identify additional cases. County residents should rely on instructions from public agencies handling the response.

12News published its report on the Graham County case here.