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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [HEALTH]

7 clusters · 26 sources · 69 days · First seen · Last updated

US screwworm reemergence and record measles surge

Overview

In mid-2026, the U.S. faced a dual crisis involving a record measles surge of 2,295 cases—the highest since 1991—and the reemergence of the New World screwworm after a 44-year absence. The parasite, which moves north from Central America, has caused dozens of infestations in cattle, sheep, goats, and dogs across Texas and New Mexico. To combat the spread, the USDA’s NovoFly program, in partnership with North Carolina State University, began releasing genetically engineered sterile-male flies from aircraft. Additionally, a $300,000 grant from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research is supporting research into new sterile-male techniques to improve mating competitiveness. While the Dallas Federal Reserve warned of potential billions in economic damage and rising beef prices, officials noted that the parasite does not pose a food-safety risk as larvae require living tissue. The outbreak has created significant secondary disruptions. Movement restrictions on animals from infested areas have been implemented in 44 states, leading to overcrowding and potential increases in euthanasia rates at Texas animal shelters. Specifically, organizations like the Gulf Coast Humane Society in Corpus Christi have reported population surges—increasing from 325 to nearly 450 animals—because they can no longer transport animals to regions like the Northeast without veterinary certification of non-infection. Mia Bendixsen, executive director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, noted that these restrictions have created “significant hardships” for both small rescues and large shelters. As of September 2026, the crisis has expanded to include the first equine case of the century, with a working ranch horse in Presidio County, Texas, confirmed to be infected. The Texas Animal Health Commission has since prohibited the movement of warm-blooded animals out of designated infested zones in Presidio and Jeff Davis counties.

Entities

New World screwworm · Gulf Coast Humane Society · Texas Humane Legislation Network · Presidio County · Texas Animal Health Commission

Timeline

  1. about 18 hours ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Texas horse infected with New World screwworm

    The USDA confirmed the first U.S. equine case of New World screwworm in a Texas horse, prompting movement restrictions on livestock in Presidio and Jeff Davis counties to contain the parasite.

  2. 15 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources
    New World screwworm outbreak disrupts Texas animal adoptions

    A New World screwworm outbreak in Texas is restricting pet movement across 44 states, causing overcrowding in shelters and threatening the beef industry.

  3. 23 days ago

    [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Texas animal shelters face crisis as screwworm outbreak restricts pet movement

    The arrival of the New World screwworm in the U.S. has triggered pet movement restrictions across 44 states, causing overcrowding and potential euthanasia risks in Texas animal shelters.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 3 sources
    New World Screwworm Outbreak Sparks Pet Health Guidance and Narco Ranching Alerts in U.S. Agriculture

    The 2024 New World screwworm outbreak led to pet‑health advisories and exposed organized‑crime exploitation of U.S. cattle farms, raising animal‑health and national‑security concerns.

  5. about 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 3 sources
    United States Deploys Sterile‑Male Fly Program to Eradicate New World Screwworm

    After 42 New World screwworm cases were confirmed in Texas livestock and dogs, the USDA launched the NovoFly sterile‑male fly program to eradicate the pest that was previously eliminated in 1966.

  6. about 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 4 sources
    US faces record measles surge and reemergence of New World screwworm

    US reports a record measles surge due to low vaccination rates and faces the return of New World screwworm, a flesh‑eating fly, after 44 years, highlighting public‑health gaps.

  7. 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 4 sources
    New World screwworm threatens US livestock and prompts new sterile‑fly research

    The New World screwworm re‑emerged in the US, posing a billion‑dollar livestock threat but not a food‑safety risk, while researchers receive $300 k to develop improved sterile‑male flies for control.

Sources

ahi.org · animalagalliance.org · ca.sports.yahoo.com · dallas.culturemap.com · diario.mx · dnyuz.com · equusmagazine.com · gilmermirror.com · hpj.com · hub.jhu.edu · inspiyr.com · internewscast.com · it-boltwise.de · kesq.com · kion546.com · krdo.com · midwestfarmreport.com · newsday.com · notiziegeopolitiche.net · nypost.com · offthepress.com · panow.com · popsci.com · secretchina.com · vetmed.illinois.edu · wtop.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history