Essential Tips to Safeguard Pets From Screwworm Infestations
WHO:
Texas Tribune - Guy Loneragan, dean and professor for the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Texas Tribune - U.S. Agriculture Sec. Brooke Rollins.
Phys.org - Maxwell Scott, NC State University entomologist.
WHAT:
Forbes - The New World screwworm was first discovered in May in a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas, near the Mexico border.
Forbes - The number of confirmed cases has risen to seven, including cattle, goats, and a dog in Texas and New Mexico.
Forbes - The FDA approved the use of generic Nitenpyram tablets for treating dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens infected with screwworm.
Forbes - The U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest level in 75 years, with 86.2 million head of cattle and calves reported as of January 1.
Forbes - The USDA predicts beef production will decline by 0.9 percent to 25.310 billion pounds in 2027.
Forbes - The average price of ground beef has risen from $3.95 in December 2020 to $6.89 in April.
Forbes - The USDA is spending $750 million on a new Texas facility capable of producing roughly 300 million sterile screwworms per week, which will not be operational until at least 2027.
Forbes - There are 75 personnel actively responding on the ground to the Texas screwworm outbreak, with hundreds more providing laboratory, logistics, and air operations support nationwide.
Texas Tribune - A dog from New Mexico that visited Andrews County in West Texas has a confirmed case of the screwworm.
Texas Tribune - The maggots have sharp mouth hooks that can tear at the tissue of the animal it infests, causing the wound to become larger and deeper as more eggs hatch.
Texas Tribune - Symptoms of infection include discomfort, intense pain, discharge with a foul smell, unusual restlessness, and in some cases, aggression or lethargy.
Texas Tribune - The Food and Drug Administration has made antiparasitic chewable tablets and topical solutions available to veterinarians for treating both dogs and cats.
Texas Tribune - If a pet is near the U.S.-Mexico border or traveling to/from Latin America, it should be monitored more regularly for signs of screwworm infestation.
Texas Tribune - The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed seven cases of New World screwworm, with six in Texas and one in New Mexico.
Texas Tribune - The screwworm can lay 200-300 eggs at a time and may lay up to 3,000 eggs during her 10- to 30-day lifespan.
Texas Tribune - The infestation could be fatal for dogs and cats, depending on the location and severity of the infestation.
Texas Tribune - The Food and Drug Administration has made certain medicines available to veterinarians for treating dogs and cats.
WHERE:
Texas Tribune - Cases of screwworm have been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, specifically in South Texas and Andrews County in West Texas.
Texas Tribune - Recommendations for monitoring pets are emphasized for those near the U.S.-Mexico border or traveling to/from Latin America.
WHEN:
Texas Tribune - The screwworm outbreak may continue for a few months at least.
WHY:
Texas Tribune - The New World screwworm targets any warm-blooded mammal, including pets, due to their vulnerability to open wounds.
HOW:
Texas Tribune - Pet owners are advised to establish a good relationship with their local veterinarian to help diagnose and report cases, which aids in tracking the screwworm.
Texas Tribune - Local, state, and federal officials are working to track screwworm cases and containment efforts, including the release of sterile flies to mate with the screwworm.
Texas Tribune - Treatment generally involves removing the larvae and using products that kill any remaining larvae.
Texas Tribune - Pet owners are advised to check their animals daily for wounds and to maintain cleanliness to prevent infestations.
(UPDATED June 12, 2026 06:31 UTC)
A concerning outbreak of the New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas, with the number of cases now totaling seven, affecting cattle, goats, and even a dog. In response to this situation, the FDA has approved the use of generic Nitenpyram tablets to treat infected pets, while the USDA is investing $750 million in a new facility in Texas that will produce sterile screwworms, set to be operational by 2027. Meanwhile, the U.S. cattle herd has reached its lowest level in 75 years, and beef production is expected to decline by nearly one percent in 2027, contributing to a significant rise in ground beef prices.
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(UPDATED June 11, 2026 23:26 UTC)
A dog from New Mexico that visited Andrews County in West Texas has been confirmed to have a case of the screwworm, which can cause severe tissue damage due to the sharp mouth hooks of the maggots. Symptoms of this infection include discomfort, intense pain, and unusual restlessness, and pet owners are urged to monitor their animals closely, especially if they are near the U.S.-Mexico border or traveling to and from Latin America. The Food and Drug Administration has made antiparasitic treatments available to veterinarians, and pet owners are encouraged to build a strong relationship with their local vet to help identify and report any cases of infestation.
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(UPDATED June 11, 2026 14:26 UTC)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed seven cases of New World screwworm, with six located in Texas and one in New Mexico, raising concerns for pet owners in those areas. This infestation can be particularly dangerous for dogs and cats, as the screwworm lays hundreds of eggs and targets warm-blooded mammals through open wounds. Local, state, and federal officials are actively working on containment efforts, which include the release of sterile flies, while veterinarians have access to specific medications to treat affected pets.