Mexico blocks most imports of live animals from US after screwworm cases

MEXICO CITY - Mexico will stop most imports of live animals from the U.S. after cases of the flesh-eating screwworm pest were confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, Mexico's agriculture ministry said on Tuesday.

The suspension applied to cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats and several other species of animals, the ministry said, adding that the decision was taken in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Mexico, which has registered more than 28,200 cases of screwworm since November 2024, said it aimed to protect its cattle herd in the northern states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua and Sinaloa, where there are currently no confirmed cases of screwworm.

The U.S. has confirmed five cases of screwworm since June 3.

(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Kylie Madry)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 4:26 PM.