Full Breakdown
New World Screwworm Detected in Texas: Response, Risks, and Political Stakes
6/8/2026, 7:22:22 AM
First U.S. Case in Decades
On June 3, USDA confirmed New World screwworm larvae in a three-week-old calf near La Pryor, Zavala County, Texas— first U.S. case since 1966. A second calf, five miles away, tested positive on June 5. USDA imposed a 20-km (12-mile) quarantine and began releasing sterile flies.
Parasite Biology and Historical Eradication
Economic Stakes
Ground-beef prices neared $7 per pound and steak $13 per pound in April 2026. USDA projects a statewide outbreak could cost Texas $1.8 billion annually and producers $732 million, while the Texas herd, valued at $17 billion, faces a national herd at a 75-year low.
Federal and State Response
Secretary Brooke Rollins said parasite does not affect food safety and cases are expected to be isolated. USDA has released 4 million sterile flies on the ground and another 4 million air. A Texas facility under construction aims for 300 million flies per week by 2027. Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster, mobilized resources, and urged rapid completion of facility.
Industry and Political Criticism
Commissioner Sid Miller accused USDA of “moving too slowly” and relying on a “partial solution” not effective until 2027, noting quarantine may suppress reporting. Strategist Barrett Marson linked the outbreak to concerns about rising grocery bills ahead of the 2024 midterms.
On-the-Ground Reports
Ranchers Brian Uptmore and Suzanne Fulton described wound monitoring and fly-killing sprays as routine. USDA teams deployed mobile labs, and checkpoints were set up to inspect livestock leaving the zone.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
USDA and state officials say there is no food-supply threat, but industry warns that movement limits could tighten cattle supplies and lift beef prices. Loss estimates range from $1.8 billion (USDA) to $4.3 billion (industry). Sterile-fly production is limited to one Panama facility supplying ~100 million flies weekly.
Verbatim Quotes
- “None of us have a crystal ball, so none of us really understand what this is going to mean for the cattle herd,” — Brooke Rollins, U.S. Agriculture Secretary
- “We cannot make it through a second summer.” — Greg Abbott, Texas Governor
- “We probably have a lot more cases that are not being reported,” — Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner
- “There are some species that it’s worth considering wiping out altogether and I do think the screwworm is one,” — Gregory Kaebnick, senior research scholar, Hastings Center for Bioethics
- “Many models projected this pest would reach the United States last year, but thanks to USDA’s phenomenal work and our cooperation with state, federal, and industry partners, we’ve held it off until now—when we are far more prepared to respond. USDA has not wasted any time in this fight, we have defeated New World screwworm before, and we will do it again.” — Dudley Hoskins, USDA Undersecretary
What’s Next
USDA to scale Texas sterile-fly plant to 300 M/week by 2027.
