Story perspectives

Texas Declares Disaster, Releases Sterile Flies; PA Quarantines Livestock

6/18/2026

Left

Abbott Releases Flies

Texas officials declared a local disaster and opened free livestock-inspection and education programs for affected ranchers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed twelve New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico, eleven active as of this week.
Governor Greg Abbott announced releasing hundreds of millions of sterile flies to suppress the pest.
Pennsylvania’s agriculture department issued a precautionary quarantine requiring veterinary inspections for livestock moves.

Right

Experts Reject Cull

Experts say an infected animal can recover and does not require the herd to be culled.
Recent cases have been confirmed in cattle and goats in Texas, prompting renewed attention to the pest.
Treatment, wound monitoring and sterile-fly releases are ready, with farmers, veterinarians and agencies cooperating.
Farmer Eugene McCallie notes beef prices stem from heifer numbers, not the screwworm outbreak.

Blindspot

Left coverage emphasized the official disaster declaration and free livestock-inspection and education program, which Right coverage did not include.
Right coverage highlighted expert opinion that infected animals can recover without herd culling and noted beef-price factors, which Left coverage did not mention.

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Abbott Releases Flies

Texas officials declared a local disaster and opened free livestock-inspection and education programs for affected ranchers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed twelve New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico, eleven active as of this week.
Governor Greg Abbott announced releasing hundreds of millions of sterile flies to suppress the pest.
Pennsylvania’s agriculture department issued a precautionary quarantine requiring veterinary inspections for livestock moves.

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