Texas Ranchers on Alert as Screwworm Cases Spike Again
WHO:
The Texas Tribune - John Bellinger has been appointed as the new senior adviser for New World screwworm preparedness.
The Texas Tribune - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated, “South Texas ranchers are the front line of this battle against screwworm,” emphasizing the importance of reporting any screwworm incidents.
The Texas Tribune - Governor Greg Abbott said, “We have beaten this before and we will do it again,” during a press conference.
ABC News - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the cases.
Fox News - Rollins, a representative, warned ranchers about the situation.
WHAT:
AP News - The USDA confirmed that there are now seven confirmed cases of New World screwworm in Texas.
Fox News - The USDA has set up a 12-mile (20-kilometer) quarantine zone around each of the seven confirmed cases.
AP News - The USDA confirmed that there are now seven confirmed cases of New World screwworm in Texas, including three calves, a goat, and a dog from Lea County, New Mexico.
Fox News - The USDA has set up a 12-mile (20-kilometer) quarantine zone around each of the seven confirmed cases to try to slow the parasite’s advance.
The Texas Tribune - The USDA is increasing outreach efforts and inspecting additional animals in the household of the infected dog, which was confirmed to be the first screwworm case in New Mexico.
AP News - The USDA confirmed that there are now five confirmed cases of New World screwworm, including three calves and a goat in Texas, and a dog from Lea County, New Mexico.
Fox News - The USDA has set up a 12-mile (20-kilometer) quarantine zone around each confirmed case to try to slow the parasite’s advance.
ABC News - The USDA is investigating the property where the dog from New Mexico lives, as it had not traveled to Texas or Mexico.
The Texas Tribune - The USDA confirmed that the total number of New World screwworm cases in Texas has reached five, with three new cases reported recently.
AP News - The USDA has set up a 12-mile (20-kilometer) quarantine zone around each confirmed case to try to slow the parasite’s advance.
The Texas Tribune - The USDA confirmed that the total number of New World screwworm cases in Texas has reached five.
The Texas Tribune - A veterinarian in Andrews County submitted samples from an infested dog, marking the first screwworm case in New Mexico.
The Texas Tribune - The USDA stated that the New World screwworm infestation could potentially cost Texas's cattle economy at least $1.8 billion.
ABC News - Three more cases of New World screwworm were confirmed in Texas, bringing the total number of cases to five.
The Texas Tribune - One new case is in Andrews County, nearly 400 miles north of Zavala County, where the first case was reported.
The Texas Tribune - A calf has been infected in La Salle County, about 80 miles southeast of Zavala County.
The Texas Tribune - A dog from Lea County, New Mexico, is the first screwworm case in that state.
The Texas Tribune - The third new case is in a goat out of Gillespie County, about 170 miles north of Zavala County.
ABC News - Two cases of the New World screwworm have been confirmed in Texas.
Fox News - The outbreak is tied to earlier open border policies and illicit cattle movement.
WHERE:
AP News - The confirmed cases include locations in La Salle County and Gillespie County, Texas.
ABC News - The confirmed cases are located in Texas.
Fox News - The cases were found in South Texas.
WHY:
Fox News - The resurgence of the screwworm is linked to earlier open border policies and illicit cattle movement.
HOW:
CNN - The USDA has broken ground on a facility to mass produce sterile screwworm flies in Texas, with production expected to start in November 2027.
AP News - The USDA has been dropping sterile flies in south Texas since February and is working to build a $750 million fly factory in Texas to combat the screwworm, with production expected to start in November 2027.
AP News - The USDA has been dropping sterile flies in south Texas since February and is working to build a $750 million fly factory in Texas to combat the screwworm.
AP News - The USDA is also exploring alternative options to combat screwworm, including putting ivermectin in animal feed.
AP News - The USDA has been dropping sterile flies in south Texas since February and is working to build a $750 million fly factory in Texas to combat the screwworm.
The Texas Tribune - The USDA is increasing outreach efforts and inspecting additional animals in the household of the infected dog.
The Texas Tribune - Governor Greg Abbott announced that the state’s emergency command center will operate 24/7 with specialists from Texas A&M and state personnel.
The Texas Tribune - The USDA is inspecting additional animals in the household of the infected dog and increasing outreach.
The Texas Tribune - The USDA, along with Gov. Greg Abbott, announced a “War on Screwworm” campaign with the slogan “Inspect, Report, and Protect.”
The Texas Tribune - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the New World screwworm infestation is a top priority, with a military commander in charge of resource gathering and research.
The Texas Tribune - The USDA is exploring alternative options to combat screwworm, including putting ivermectin in animal feed.
The Texas Tribune - President Trump appointed John Bellinger as the new senior adviser for New World screwworm preparedness.
ABC News - The spread of the screwworm is described as difficult to stop, posing a potential threat to the cattle industry.
(UPDATED June 9, 2026 15:55 UTC)
The USDA has confirmed seven cases of New World screwworm in Texas, prompting the establishment of a 12-mile quarantine zone around each affected area, which includes La Salle and Gillespie Counties. In response to this outbreak, John Bellinger has been appointed as the new senior adviser for New World screwworm preparedness. Additionally, the USDA has begun construction on a facility to mass produce sterile screwworm flies, with production anticipated to commence in November 2027.
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(UPDATED June 9, 2026 10:10 UTC)
The USDA has confirmed seven cases of New World screwworm in Texas, affecting three calves, a goat, and a dog from Lea County, New Mexico. In response, the agency has established a 12-mile quarantine zone around each case and is increasing outreach efforts while inspecting additional animals linked to the infected dog. To combat the screwworm, the USDA has been releasing sterile flies in south Texas since February and plans to open a $750 million fly factory in Texas, with production set to begin in November 2027.
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(UPDATED June 9, 2026 08:08 UTC)
The USDA has confirmed five cases of New World screwworm, which include three calves and a goat in Texas, as well as a dog from Lea County, New Mexico. To contain the situation, the USDA has established a 12-mile quarantine zone around each confirmed case and is investigating the property of the New Mexico dog, which has not traveled to Texas or Mexico. In response to the outbreak, the USDA has been releasing sterile flies in south Texas since February and is planning to build a $750 million fly factory, while also considering adding ivermectin to animal feed as an alternative solution.
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(UPDATED June 9, 2026 06:18 UTC)
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the critical role of South Texas ranchers in the fight against screwworm, urging immediate reporting of any incidents. The USDA has confirmed a total of five New World screwworm cases in Texas, including three new cases, and has established a 12-mile quarantine zone around each confirmed case to help contain the spread. To combat this issue, the USDA has been releasing sterile flies in South Texas since February and is planning to build a $750 million fly factory in the state.
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(UPDATED June 9, 2026 04:21 UTC)
The USDA has confirmed that the total number of New World screwworm cases in Texas has now reached five, while a veterinarian in Andrews County has reported the first case in New Mexico after submitting samples from an infested dog. The USDA warns that this infestation could cost Texas's cattle economy at least $1.8 billion, prompting Governor Greg Abbott to announce that the state’s emergency command center will operate around the clock with specialists from Texas A&M and state personnel. In response to the situation, the USDA is ramping up outreach efforts and inspecting additional animals in the household of the infected dog.
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(UPDATED June 9, 2026 01:36 UTC)
Three more cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed in Texas, raising the total to five, with new infections reported in Andrews County, La Salle County, and Gillespie County, as well as the first case in a dog from Lea County, New Mexico. In response, the USDA is ramping up inspections and outreach efforts, while launching a “War on Screwworm” campaign alongside Texas Governor Greg Abbott, emphasizing the importance of inspection and reporting. Additionally, President Trump has appointed John Bellinger as the new senior adviser for New World screwworm preparedness, highlighting the urgency of this infestation as a top priority.
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(UPDATED June 8, 2026 16:16 UTC)
The United States Department of Agriculture has confirmed two cases of the New World screwworm in South Texas, raising concerns for the cattle industry. A representative from the USDA warned ranchers that this outbreak is linked to earlier open border policies and illicit cattle movement, making it difficult to contain. The resurgence of the screwworm poses a significant threat, as its spread is challenging to stop.