U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced on Monday at a press conference in Kerrville, Texas, that three new cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed, including one outside Texas. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The New World screwworm is a flesh-eating parasite that lays eggs in open wounds of animals, with larvae feeding on living tissue. Typically found in Central and South America, it has spread in Texas in recent months, threatening U.S. livestock.
Rollins stated that one of the new cases was confirmed outside Texas, though the specific region was not named, indicating potential spread to other states. The other two cases were found in Texas. All cases were confirmed in early June 2026.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking emergency measures to control the situation. A sterile fly production facility in Texas releases sterile male flies to reduce wild fly reproduction, a method previously successful in Central America.
Rollins urged farmers and livestock owners to remain vigilant, check animals for wounds, and report suspicious cases immediately. She also said the federal government would allocate additional resources to combat the parasite.
The New World screwworm was eradicated from the U.S. in 1966 but reappeared in Texas in early 2026. Since then, over 100 cases have been reported, primarily in cattle but also in horses and pets. The parasite can infect humans, though rarely.
USDA specialists are establishing quarantine zones and restricting livestock movement to prevent spread. Texas has also declared a state of emergency.