Screwworm cases in cattle near Texas border - January 2026

[flowershop]

I wanted to discuss this screwworm threat to livestock, particularly cattle. Screwworm is a flesh-eating fly that makes its way into wounds on animals. I have been following this news story for several months as many cases were reported in Central America. Last July, the US stopped cattle, horse and bison imports from Mexico as a precaution in order to protect US livestock.

Now I am reading that this insect has made its way to Tamaulipas which is a Mexican state that borders Texas.

The main way to fight the spread is by releasing sterile male screwworm flies which mate with the wild female who then produces infertile eggs.

'High alert': Risk of screwworm landfall in US heightens as cases near Texas' border rise to 11

The pest poses a major threat to the nation's over $600 billion livestock industry if it crosses over the border, officials said.

www.king5.com

 

[SunSun]

The new world screwworm can infest any warm-blooded animal, which includes people, wildlife and domestic animals. Wounds as small as a tick bite can allow for infestation. Animals may die from secondary infection or toxicity in 7-14 days if not treated.

More info:

USDA - Current Staus

Fact Sheet

 

[MelmothTheLost]

I'm aware of this threat and the work being done to halt their migration northwards. There's a very good Kurzgesagt short documentary about it on YouTube:

 

[flowershop]

Numerous federal agencies, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Homeland Security, announced on Friday that they had conducted a New World screwworm simulation exercise earlier in January in preparation for the pest's possible arrival. The exercise went over three different possible scenarios for the pest's spread, including Illegal cattle smuggling, via wild animals, and by way of a human with an infested wound.

'All hands on deck' | US prepares for possible infestations of flesh-eating fly as Texas issues disaster declaration

New World screwworm could severely damage the $600B US livestock industry. The invasive species was just confirmed near the Texas border.

www.kvue.com

 

[SunSun]

A horse imported from Argentina was found to have an open wound with screwworm larvae during routine inspection in the quarentine station.

According to USDA, the animal was treated and will remain in quarantine until it has been reexamined and determined to be free of the pest.

New World Screwworm Detected in Florida