Key facts
- The USDA confirmed three additional cases of New World screwworm, bringing the total to five.
- Two new cases were identified in Texas: a calf in La Salle County and a goat in Gillespie County.
- A dog case in Andrews County, Texas, was reclassified as the first case detected in New Mexico.
- New World screwworm larvae infest living tissue, causing wounds, suffering, and economic losses.
- The USDA is leading an aggressive, coordinated response with 75 people on the ground.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed three additional cases of New World screwworm, bringing the total number of infestations to five since the first domestic case in six decades was found in a Texas calf last week. Two new cases were identified in Texas, affecting a calf in La Salle County and a goat in Gillespie County. The agency also clarified that a previously reported case involving a dog in Andrews County, Texas, would be reclassified as the first detection in New Mexico, as the dog resides in Lea County, New Mexico, though the veterinarian who reported it is located in Texas.
New World screwworm is a serious pest that can infest any warm-blooded animal, including livestock, pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, humans. The larvae burrow into living tissue, causing severe wounds, animal suffering, and significant economic losses. Experts predict a widespread outbreak could cost Texas $1.8 billion in economic damage and devastate wildlife.
The USDA is leading an aggressive, coordinated response with 75 people on the ground, and ongoing investigations are expected to yield new information. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the agency will soon announce recipients of awards from a $100 million fund for screwworm technologies announced last year. Rollins also noted that staff departures following the Trump administration's push for resignations have not impacted the screwworm response.