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New world screwworm spreads across Texas, threatening livestock and beef prices...Outbreak confirmed in 31 Texas locations; 21 counties under movement restrictions.
KBTX-TV3 ^ | July 8, 2026 | Nicole Marino

Posted on 07/09/2026 7:10:54 AM PDT by Red Badger

VIDEOS AT LINK.................

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A flesh-eating parasite has been confirmed in at least 31 locations across Texas. State and federal officials are working to contain the outbreak, as it threatens the state’s multibillion-dollar cattle industry.

The United States Department of Agriculture has confirmed 32 new World screwworm infestations in the United States: 31 in Texas and one in New Mexico. Cases span 12 Texas counties and 23 separate premises. The most recent detection, a sheep in Crockett County, was confirmed July 3.

Movement restrictions in place

Twenty-one Texas counties are currently under movement restrictions.

Warm-blooded animals cannot leave those areas without a certified inspection first.

All southern ports of entry are currently closed to livestock trade. Infected animals cannot be sold or processed for meat.

Economic impact

The Texas cattle industry generates approximately $41 billion a year. State officials said the outbreak is threatening the industry and could drive up beef prices at grocery stores.

Nearly 28,000 cases of New World screwworm have been detected in Mexico since November 2024, and the parasite has since spread into Texas.

What officials are urging

Gov. Greg Abbott said livestock owners should take immediate steps to protect their animals.

“Here’s what Texans can do right now,” Abbott said. “Check your animals daily, check for any wounds, even small wounds like tick bites on navels or newborns or other openings. Treat wounds promptly and work to reduce fly populations around the operations.”

Texas screwworm cases by county, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.(kbtx) Abbott also urged anyone who suspects an infection to contact state authorities without delay.

“Report immediately any suspicion of New World screwworm and wounds to the Texas Animal Health Commission,” Abbott said. “Anyone can report.”

Officials said livestock and pet owners should watch for wounds that are getting worse instead of better, or wounds with visible larvae and call the Texas Animal Health Commission at the first sign of concern.

Texas Animal Health Commission, Central Office in Austin: 512-719-0700.

Copyright 2026 KBTX. All rights reserved.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Health/Medicine; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: illegaltruth; pets; society; travel

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To: discostu

>> They killed the program. You admitted that.

You’re an idiot. Get help.


21 posted on 07/09/2026 7:59:55 AM PDT by Nervous Tick (Hope, as a righteous product of properly aligned Faith, IS in fact a strategy.)
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To: Nervous Tick

Facts are facts. And DOGE DID kill the program we had to try to stop screwworms. Sorry you find that KNOWN FACT inconvenient, but that’s a you problem. Get help.


22 posted on 07/09/2026 8:01:16 AM PDT by discostu (like a dog being shown a card trick)
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To: Red Badger

>> I bet they used DDT to get it under control.............

No, they got it under control by releasing billions of sterilized adult males. That’s still the state of the art in screwworm control.


23 posted on 07/09/2026 8:03:06 AM PDT by Nervous Tick (Hope, as a righteous product of properly aligned Faith, IS in fact a strategy.)
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To: All

https://screwworm.gov

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-myth-busters.pdf


24 posted on 07/09/2026 8:06:26 AM PDT by Nervous Tick (Hope, as a righteous product of properly aligned Faith, IS in fact a strategy.)
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To: Nervous Tick

Are they still doing it?...........


25 posted on 07/09/2026 8:06:35 AM PDT by Red Badger (Iryna Zarutska, May 22, 2002 Kyiv, Ukraine – August 22, 2025 Charlotte, North Carolina Say her name)
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To: discostu

>> Facts are facts.

Yes, and the fact is you’re a clueless drama queen.


26 posted on 07/09/2026 8:08:10 AM PDT by Nervous Tick (Hope, as a righteous product of properly aligned Faith, IS in fact a strategy.)
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To: Nervous Tick

The fact is all you’ve got is insults. So we both know you’re wrong. Bye now, I got better things to do with my time.


27 posted on 07/09/2026 8:10:05 AM PDT by discostu (like a dog being shown a card trick)
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To: Red Badger

Yep. There is one plant in Panama turning out sterile flies, and others under construction (in or near the US).

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/sterile-fly-production-dispersal-facilities


28 posted on 07/09/2026 8:10:27 AM PDT by Nervous Tick (Hope, as a righteous product of properly aligned Faith, IS in fact a strategy.)
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To: Wayne07

So that Dick, Bidenskkkky, not only imported 20 million Fleabag, Biden illegal aliens to America,the SOB imported a new crop of Screw Worms. Pedo Joe screwed Americans in hundreds of ways.


29 posted on 07/09/2026 8:11:25 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (If two jackasses sneak onto a thoroughbred breeding farm, they'll still throw another jackass.)
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To: Wayne07

So that Dick, Bidenskkkky, not only imported 20 million Fleabag, Biden illegal aliens to America,the SOB imported a new crop of Screw Worms. Pedo Joe screwed Americans in hundreds of ways.


30 posted on 07/09/2026 8:11:30 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (If two jackasses sneak onto a thoroughbred breeding farm, they'll still throw another jackass.)
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To: discostu

>> The fact is all you’ve got is insults.

I’ve been posting links to facts. If only you could read!

>> Bye now, I got better things to do with my time.

So long! While you’re out shopping, see if you can buy a clue.


31 posted on 07/09/2026 8:12:08 AM PDT by Nervous Tick (Hope, as a righteous product of properly aligned Faith, IS in fact a strategy.)
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To: Nervous Tick

It seems to me it would be better to eradicate the fly completely..............


32 posted on 07/09/2026 8:12:53 AM PDT by Red Badger (Iryna Zarutska, May 22, 2002 Kyiv, Ukraine – August 22, 2025 Charlotte, North Carolina Say her name)
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To: discostu

You have a reading problem, I never said they cut the screwworm program. In fact, I pointed out we are funding a sterile screwworm factory in Mexico. Spending is the opposite of cutting.

I said USAID has had cuts. If you have any evidence that a screwworm prevention program was cut share it. I’m sure the NY Times would be interested in your reporting, because they love slandering Elon Musk and Trump.

Would you like to explain how, in spite of the highly effective efficient USAID program, screwworm has spread north continually since 2022?


33 posted on 07/09/2026 8:15:44 AM PDT by Wayne07
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To: FlingWingFlyer; Red Badger

Not sure about screwworm being imported, it’s been in the area for a long time.

But... there’s another problem called “Pasture Dieback”, caused by an insect called the Pasture Mealybug. I have talked with USDA and Texas Ag folks that agree (in private) that the mealybug may have been imported as agri-warfare. It’s widespread in Australia, but until a few years ago was unheard of in America.

https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/pasture-mealybug/


34 posted on 07/09/2026 8:16:27 AM PDT by Nervous Tick (Hope, as a righteous product of properly aligned Faith, IS in fact a strategy.)
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To: Red Badger

>> better to eradicate the fly completely

Can’t argue with that, but easier said than done, perhaps.


35 posted on 07/09/2026 8:17:31 AM PDT by Nervous Tick (Hope, as a righteous product of properly aligned Faith, IS in fact a strategy.)
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To: Nervous Tick

All it would take is a few eggs or larvae dropped along teh highways or from a small plane............


36 posted on 07/09/2026 8:18:50 AM PDT by Red Badger (Iryna Zarutska, May 22, 2002 Kyiv, Ukraine – August 22, 2025 Charlotte, North Carolina Say her name)
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To: Red Badger; Nervous Tick

Yes, the sterile fly program was the driving force back in the 1960s.

We raised cattle & angora goats back then. I remember helping my dad doctor infected goats & calves. We saved a few & lost a few.

I also remember coming across a couple of the cardboard boxes that held the sterile flies on our ranch.


37 posted on 07/09/2026 8:27:08 AM PDT by texanyankee
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To: Nervous Tick; Red Badger

Ranchers will monitor their livestock but the bigger issue is the wildlife being infected - deer, feral pigs, coyotes, etc.


38 posted on 07/09/2026 8:33:16 AM PDT by texanyankee
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To: Red Badger

Most likely planted here by China…


39 posted on 07/09/2026 9:00:12 AM PDT by JimRed (TERM LIMITS, NOW! Finish the damned WALL! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH! )
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To: discostu

We didn’t have these problems until DOGE killed the program that was specifically monitoring and killing these flies.

https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/30/screwworm-myths-fact-vs-fiction/


40 posted on 07/09/2026 9:28:27 AM PDT by Pete Dovgan
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