Overview
- Federal officials confirmed four New World screwworm infections in Texas after two additional cases were announced Monday, including a calf in La Salle County and a dog in Andrews County.
- State and federal teams have set 12–20 kilometer quarantine and movement‑control zones, deployed about 75 ground personnel and expanded trapping and surveillance in affected areas.
- The USDA is releasing millions of sterile male screwworm flies by air and ground as the primary eradication tool while accelerating plans to build larger production facilities because current output falls short of historic levels.
- Canada has temporarily restricted livestock imports from Texas and federal estimates warn a large outbreak could cause roughly $1.8 billion in economic damage, fueling rancher concern and proposals for private sterile‑fly production.
- Screwworm was eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s but has spread north from outbreaks in Mexico and Central America since 2024, and officials say rapid detection, animal inspections and treatment are key to preventing establishment.