USDA ramps up response to New World screwworm outbreak in Texas

New World screwworm Texas USDA inspection livestock corridor animal cases

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the first domestic detection of New World screwworm in more than half a century on June 3, 2026, in a three‑week‑old calf near La Pryor, Texas. By June 30, industry tallies reported 27 confirmed animal cases across Texas and New Mexico, the majority acquired domestically.

In response, USDA is urging routine wound checks, rapid treatment, and has increased on‑farm inspection protocols. Veterinarians in Texas are treating infestations with injectable avermectins such as Dectomax and topical permethrin sprays. The Texas Animal Health Commission is working with USDA to contain the parasite, which has reduced the number of active cases in Texas to ten out of forty‑two confirmed cases.

The presence of the pest reshapes USDA’s calculus for reopening the U.S.–Mexico livestock corridor, a trade route previously closed to prevent importation of the parasite. The outbreak has also prompted alerts for livestock producers and pet owners, with a single case reported in New Mexico and no cases in Colorado, which maintains a multi‑agency response plan.

Entities

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) · Dr. Rod Hall · La Pryor, Texas · Mexico · New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) · Texas · Texas Animal Health Commission · U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) · United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the first domestic New World screwworm detection in over 50 years on June 3, 2026, near La Pryor, Texas. www.thebeefsite.com · www.thecattlesite.com · www.thepoultrysite.com
[● 3 SOURCES] By June 30, industry tallies recorded 27 confirmed animal cases of New World screwworm across Texas and New Mexico, most domestically acquired. www.thebeefsite.com · www.thecattlesite.com · www.thepoultrysite.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The presence of screwworm changes USDA's calculus for reopening the U.S.–Mexico livestock corridor. www.thebeefsite.com · www.thecattlesite.com · www.thepoultrysite.com
[● 3 SOURCES] USDA is urging routine wound checks and rapid treatment measures to prevent screwworm infestation and limit herd losses. www.thebeefsite.com · www.thecattlesite.com · www.thepoultrysite.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] USDA is set to unwind Biden-era livestock market rules covering the Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems. www.thepoultrysite.com
[● 3 SOURCES] USDA is increasing on‑farm inspection protocols in response to the screwworm risk. www.thebeefsite.com · www.thecattlesite.com · www.thepoultrysite.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] A single case was reported in New Mexico by July 23, 2026, with no cases in Colorado, which maintains a multi‑agency response plan. www.independent.co.uk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Veterinarians in Texas are treating screwworm infestations with injectable avermectin (e.g., Dectomax) and topical permethrin sprays. www.oklahomafarmreport.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Active New World screwworm cases in Texas declined to ten out of forty‑two confirmed cases as reported in July 2026. www.oklahomafarmreport.com