USDA Leads Coordinated Fight Against New World Screwworm in Texas

U.S. Department of Agriculture officials outlined a five‑prong plan to combat the New World screwworm (NWS) and deployed an APHIS strike team to South Texas after a detection in Coahuila, Mexico. Undersecretary Dudley Hoskins, APHIS Associate Administrator Michael Schmoyer, Texas Animal Health Commission director Dr. Bud Dinges and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that NWS is an ectoparasite, not contagious to people or a food‑safety risk, and stressed rapid containment actions.

A new case was confirmed in a calf from La Salle County, Texas, raising the U.S. total to five. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, together with Texas and New Mexico partners, expanded surveillance, released sterile insects, traced cases, and conducted outreach to ranchers and veterinarians. Officials reiterated that the U.S. food supply remains safe because the pest does not infest meat, fruits, or vegetables and any affected animal would be identified during inspection.