Overview
- Federal and state teams say there are 12 confirmed infestations in the United States, with 11 cases in Texas and one in New Mexico as authorities expand quarantines and surveillance.
- The outbreak began with a detection near the border and on June 3 federal officials confirmed the first recent U.S. case, prompting immediate quarantine zones and field treatment of affected animals.
- Officials are releasing millions of lab‑raised sterile male screwworm flies to stop reproduction because females mate only once and mating with sterile males prevents offspring.
- The USDA has broken ground on a $750 million sterile‑fly production plant in Edinburg and plans other sites, but experts warn current weekly output is limited and could be overwhelmed if cases surge.
- Leaders have authorized emergency pet treatments and tightened animal‑movement rules, and the response has sparked political debate over prior USDA staffing cuts, funding timing and cross‑border coordination.