Texas – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is warning ranchers and livestock owners to remain vigilant after federal officials confirmed two New World screwworm cases in Hudspeth County, Texas, as well as two additional cases in southern New Mexico.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the four cases on October 24. The detections involved two cattle in Hudspeth County, one cow in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, and one ram in the same New Mexico county.
“The New World screwworm threat has not gone away, not by a long shot,” Miller said. He warned that the latest detections pose a concern for Texas livestock, ranchers’ livelihoods and national food security.
New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. Infestations can cause serious wounds, secondary infections and death if left untreated. Animals at risk include cattle, horses, sheep, goats, wildlife and pets, while humans can also be affected.
Miller said he has repeatedly urged state and federal officials to intensify efforts to stop the parasite, including expanding sterile fly production and releases, strengthening surveillance and improving early detection.
“We cannot play defense forever. We’ve got to take the fight to the screwworm, and we’ve got to do it now,” Miller said, calling for additional tools and resources to protect livestock producers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been deploying sterile flies as part of its response. The sterile insect technique uses flies that cannot reproduce to help suppress the pest population.
Miller urged ranchers, livestock owners, veterinarians and animal caretakers across Texas to inspect animals regularly for wounds and signs of infestation and report suspected cases to animal health authorities.
“Texas ranchers are some of the toughest, most resourceful people on earth, but they shouldn’t have to fight this battle alone,” Miller said, urging the federal government to commit additional resources to eradication efforts.
The Texas Department of Agriculture said it would continue working with animal health officials and supporting livestock producers as authorities respond to the detections. The Texas Animal Health Commission also lists movement restrictions for warm-blooded animals in designated screwworm-infested zones, including parts of Hudspeth County.
