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Texas Declares Disaster Amid New World Screwworm Threat

2/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a preemptive disaster to protect the state from the New World Screwworm.
The screwworm has moved north from Central and Southern America, threatening livestock.
Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged ranchers to stay vigilant after cases were reported in Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Texas is forming a response team and plans a $750 million Edinburg facility to breed sterile screwworm flies, a method used in the 1960s.

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Story summary

Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a preemptive disaster to protect the state from the New World Screwworm.
The screwworm has moved north from Central and Southern America, threatening livestock.
Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged ranchers to stay vigilant after cases were reported in Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Texas is forming a response team and plans a $750 million Edinburg facility to breed sterile screwworm flies, a method used in the 1960s.