US Wildlife Records First New World Screwworm Case, USDA Confirms

WHO:

CBS News US - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported the detection.

The Guardian - The USDA, Texas Animal Health Commission, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are involved in response and surveillance.

The Guardian - Texas wildlife division director Alan Cain urged hunters and landowners to watch for signs of New World screwworm.

The Guardian - A hunter reported the elk after harvesting it.

The Guardian - The case involved an elk; other reported US cases this year included a horse and a dog.

WHAT:

CBS News US - The first New World screwworm detection in US wildlife was found in an elk.

The Guardian - The USDA confirmed the New World screwworm, described as a flesh-eating parasite, in the elk.

The Guardian - Texas officials will modify a previously established infested zone, and federal and state agencies are conducting additional wildlife surveillance.

The Guardian - The parasite was eradicated from the US decades ago and has surged north through Mexico from Central America.

The Guardian - The US halted Mexican livestock imports to prevent screwworm entry; trade later resumed through an Arizona port as part of a phased reopening.

The Guardian - The import halt tightened US cattle supplies and contributed to record-high beef prices for US consumers.

The Guardian - Dozens of US cases have been detected this year; the article also reports an earlier case in a Texas calf.

WHERE:

CBS News US - The elk was found on a game ranch in Pecos County, Texas.

The Guardian - The elk was located on a game ranch in Pecos County, Texas.

The Guardian - The earlier calf case was in Zavala County, Texas, near the US-Mexico border.

The Guardian - The phased reopening of Mexican livestock trade began at an Arizona port.

WHY:

The Guardian - The US halted livestock imports from Mexico to keep screwworm out of the country.

HOW:

The Guardian - The elk’s detection was reported after a hunter harvested it.

The Guardian - The USDA and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are increasing wildlife surveillance in the area, while the Texas Animal Health Commission modifies the infested zone.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 07:25 UTC)

The first New World screwworm detection in U.S. wildlife has been confirmed in an elk harvested on a game ranch in Pecos County, Texas. The USDA identified the flesh-eating parasite, which was eradicated from the United States decades ago. Federal and state agencies are increasing wildlife surveillance, while Texas officials adjust an existing infested zone. Texas wildlife director Alan Cain urged hunters and landowners to watch for signs of the parasite. The detection follows dozens of U.S. cases this year, including reports involving a horse, a dog, and a calf in Zavala County. The screwworm has been moving north through Mexico from Central America. To prevent its entry, the United States halted Mexican livestock imports, tightening cattle supplies and contributing to record-high beef prices. Trade has since begun a phased reopening through an Arizona port.