Screwworm Threatens Texas Cattle Amid Delayed US Response
WHO:
PBS - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited a Texas ranch where screwworms were detected and stated, "He couldn't be happier. He's bouncing around the pasture," referring to a calf recovering from an infestation.
PBS - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins observed sterile flies being released to combat the New World screwworm.
PBS - Democratic U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu of California criticized the Trump administration for its role in the screwworm outbreak.
PBS - Jonathan Cammack, a professor of livestock entomology and parasitology at Oklahoma State University, commented on the uncertainty surrounding the screwworm's emergence.
WHAT:
PBS - The USDA has moved over 100 employees into the screwworm response effort, as stated by Rollins.
PBS - The USDA estimated that the screwworm response will cost over $1 billion, with $750 million allocated for a plant to produce sterile flies.
Bloomberg Markets - The U.S. response to the screwworm outbreak is over a year away from showing meaningful results.
PBS - The USDA plans to spend over $1 billion to combat the screwworm, with $750 million allocated for a plant to produce up to 300 million sterile flies weekly.
PBS - Seven cases of screwworms have been detected in Texas and New Mexico, leading to a 12-mile (20-kilometer) quarantine zone around each case.
PBS - Mexico has reported over 28,000 cases of screwworms since the flies returned two years ago.
WHERE:
PBS - The first case of the screwworm was detected in Texas.
PBS - The USDA is preparing an all-out assault on the screwworm, which had been contained in Panama for decades.
PBS - Canada has temporarily stopped importing cattle, horses, or other livestock from Texas.
WHEN:
PBS - The USDA aims to ramp up the sterile fly program to combat the screwworm outbreak this summer.
PBS - The USDA confirmed more screwworm cases, including one outside Texas, during a recent update.
WHY:
PBS - Rollins suggested that the screwworms may have been brought north by people moving to America and by livestock trafficked by Mexican cartels.
PBS - Rollins attributed the return of the screwworm to the Biden administration, while Democratic leaders blamed cuts to the agriculture agency under Trump.
PBS - Climate change is contributing to the spread of screwworms, as they thrive in warm, humid conditions.
HOW:
PBS - The life cycle of a screwworm is about 14 to 54 days, depending on temperature and humidity.
PBS - The USDA's strategy involves releasing sterile flies to mate with female screwworms, preventing their eggs from hatching and reducing the population.
PBS - The life cycle of a screwworm can be completed in as little as three weeks under tropical conditions.
(UPDATED June 13, 2026 19:22 UTC)
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently visited a Texas ranch where screwworms were detected and expressed his delight over a recovering calf, saying, "He couldn't be happier. He's bouncing around the pasture." The USDA has mobilized over 100 employees to tackle the screwworm response, which is projected to cost more than $1 billion, including $750 million earmarked for a facility to produce sterile flies. Rollins also indicated that the screwworms might have been introduced to the area by people relocating to America and through livestock trafficked by Mexican cartels.
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(UPDATED June 13, 2026 15:29 UTC)
The USDA is gearing up to combat the New World screwworm outbreak by ramping up a program to release sterile flies this summer, with plans to invest over $1 billion, including $750 million for a facility capable of producing up to 300 million sterile flies weekly. Seven cases of screwworms have been identified in Texas and New Mexico, prompting a quarantine zone around each case, while Mexico has reported over 28,000 cases since the flies returned two years ago. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has linked the resurgence of the screwworm to the Biden administration, while Democratic leaders have pointed to budget cuts during Trump’s tenure as a contributing factor.