Overview
- Officials confirmed Tuesday that there are 12 active screwworm infestations in the United States, 11 in Texas and one in New Mexico.
- State and federal agencies have set quarantine zones across multiple Texas counties to restrict animal movement while teams conduct surveillance and testing.
- USDA and partners are releasing millions of laboratory‑raised sterile male flies and expanding production capacity, including a major new Texas facility, to stop wild flies from reproducing.
- The FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the generic drug nitenpyram to treat infected dogs and cats and veterinarians are using approved parasiticides and wound care to remove larvae in livestock and pets.
- Health officials say human risk is low but possible, the CDC urges immediate medical removal of larvae if infestation is suspected, and economists warn that wider spread could harm cattle herds, disrupt trade and raise beef costs.