AT A GLANCE
- Twelve New World Screwworm cases have been detected.
- Eleven cases are in Texas and one in New Mexico.
- USDA is investing $105 million in response projects.
- Texas has expanded quarantines in affected counties.
- Pet owners are urged to inspect animals for wounds and infections.
New World Screwworm Cases Increase as Texas Expands Quarantines and Response Efforts
As time moves forward, the reports of new cases are leading to an increase in the levels of response from both federal and state agencies. There have been twelve cases detected, eleven in Texas and one in New Mexico, with the majority having been detected in domestic animals and none in wildlife. The reported infections have occurred in cattle, goats, and sheep in these five Texas counties: Edwards, Gillespie, Sutton, Tom Green, and Zavala.
USDA Announces $105 Million Investment
The USDA is investing in certain projects to strengthen NWS preparedness and response. It has announced “funding for 40 breakthrough projects” to bolster the nation’s defenses against the New World Screwworm. These innovative proposals, which will receive a combined total of about $105 million, that will help sharpen detection, accelerate control and detection tools, and strengthen rapid response capabilities.
Four-Point Grand Challenge
The USDA has defined a four-point Grand Challenge, which will focus on these core priorities:
- Enhance sterile NWS fly production to improve efficiency and capacity;
- Develop NWS traps and lures to modernize detection and early warning systems;
- Advance NWS therapeutics and treatments to reduce animal health impacts and strengthen response capability;
- Develop tools that bolster preparedness and response, including repellants, ecological modeling, wildlife surveillance, and other innovative approaches.
New Threats for Pets and Companion Animals
The New World screwworm “just doesn’t impact livestock”, as a case of an infection was reported, in early June in New Mexico, of an infection in a dog, raising awareness of threats to outside pets. The USDA has since authorized “for emergency use of a generic OTC drug” to treat screwworm presence in pets. Pet owners have been encouraged to check their outside pets for insect bites, chafing from collars, as well as for any open sores or wounds.
The governor has announced that the state has launched a free online course for animal professionals and Veterinarians “to expand the number of certified NWS inspectors.”
Texas Expands County Quarantines
The Texas Animal Health Commission has grouped fifteen counties across West, South, and Central Texas because some are under quarantine “to restrict animal movement” and to keep animals out of the areas, to stop the spread of recently reported cases. These are the affected zones:
- Zone 1 – Uvalde and Zavala Counties – effective June 3, 2026
- Zone 2 – LaSalle and Webb Counties – effective June 7, 2026
- Zone 3 – Gillespie, Kerr, and Kimble Counties – effective June 9, 2026
- Zone 4 – Edwards, Sutton, and Val Verde Counties – effective June 10, 2026
- Zone 5 – Tom Green and Coke counties – effective June 12, 2026
- Zone 6 – Kimble, Schleicher, and Sutton counties – effective June 13, 2026.
The quarantine will remain in effect until the Commission lifts it, per the orders, placing the counties under quarantine.
Staying Vigilant Against New World Screwworm
The New World Screwworm is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and even less commonly, people and birds. We must remain diligent, attentive, and proactive in taking good care of pets and cognizant of resources available to help eradicate this pest, as it has been done in the past.
Read Next: Clive Davis, Legendary Record Executive And Hitmaker, Dies At 94
