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.
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Jim
oh yeah it was one mistake out of many success for doge...
ah, don’t care, i can eat steak from other countries too.... like Japan and Argentina.
people just need to eat imported beef and wait it out.
“Probably brought in by Chinese “scientists” that work at some US college.”
Nope this bug was endemic here until the 1960s with millions of animals infected every year. It took 25+ years to eradicate it not only in the USA but all of Latin America too. All the way down to Panama. It was a huge multiple decade battle.
The bug survived in the deep jungles of Panama and made the jump back across the Darien Gap in Panama a nd has been on the march north ever since. Mexico has 24,000 cases since 2024 and Central America is now teemiso with them. Once again the multiple decade battle must be fought. It takes radiation sterilized flies, and lots and lots of anti parasitic meds the injectable kind. My family has raised cattle in South Texas since 1730s this is nothing new for old hat ranchers.
Wow. Thanks for that.
This was eradicated over 60 years ago, the cure is Ivermectin and can easily be administered to livestock
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cut funds to USAID that were wasteful or fraudulent.
The rumor that DOGE cuts cause screwworm outbreak in US was cited by an anonymous source who said DOGE cuts affected the Food and Agriculture Organization's work to monitor and contain screwworm.
1954: A method was successfully field-tested on the island of Curaçao, eradicating the pest in a few weeks.
1958: Florida was declared screwworm-free.
1966: The United States was declared entirely free of the New World screwworm.
1990s: The eradication campaign pushed the pest's range all the way down to a biological barrier in the Darién Gap in Panama, which was maintained by continuously releasing millions of sterile flies to prevent northward migration.
“Thinking the old time ranchers would have done a better job of protecting their stock.”
How?
Not realistic .
This is a fly
“ I bet they used DDT to get it under control”
DDT did a trick on me
Now I am a real sicky
Guess I’ll have to spread the news
That I’ve got no mind to loose
Lobotomy
Lobotomy
My question is, does an infection of Screwworm Larva in the rib-eye steaks affect the taste of the meat?
Makes it more tender and adds a little protein, so it’s fine.................
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