Full Breakdown
New World Screwworm Outbreak Triggers Quarantines, Shelter Crisis, and Federal Response in Texas and New Mexico
6/20/2026, 8:05:26 AM
Outbreak and Quarantine Orders
In early June 2026 a Lubbock dog tested positive for New World screwworm, the first U.S. case in over 40 years. Texas Animal Health Commission quarantined 13 counties—Coke, Edwards, Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Schleicher, Sutton, Tom Green, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Zavala—halting animal movement. Gov. Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster.
Background and Recent Spread
New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds; larvae consume living tissue. After eradication following a 1933 campaign, the pest re-emerged in Mexico and Central America in 2025 and entered Texas and New Mexico in 2026. It is not contagious between animals and is treatable with FDA-approved drugs.
Data and Statistics
An estimated 568,325 cats and dogs entered Texas shelters last year. Austin Pets Alive transports 2,500 animals annually through 19 partner shelters to eight states and Canada. The IAEA/FAO aims for up to 600 million sterile flies weekly; current output is ~100 million, with new facilities in Mexico and Texas slated to add 400 million. USDA earmarked $105 million for 40 research projects.
Impact on Shelters and Livestock
Animal-welfare groups warn quarantine bans could force mass euthanasia in overcrowded shelters, especially rural “shelter deserts.” Livestock face higher wound-infestation risk, though no food-safety threat is reported.
Official Statements and Responses
TAHC’s Erin Robinson said quarantine “assures our trade partners… we’re not spreading New World screwworm.” Gov. Abbott called the proclamation a tool to protect livestock. USDA’s Rollins called the Grand Challenge “bold, innovative, science-backed.”
Criticism and Opposition
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández criticized the Trump administration for prioritizing a UFC cage over a sterile-fly facility, urging “the same urgency.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Austin Pets Alive’s Rebecca Giamona warned shelters may euthanize without relocation; Luis Sanchez said they move animals from under-resourced shelters. Houston SPCA’s DeChant added fly-control measures.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
All sources agree on quarantine zones and sterile-fly need; precise animal-euthanasia numbers and livestock cases remain unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They will do mass, mass, mass euthanasias if they aren’t allowed to move the animals out of the quarantine zones,” — Rebecca Giamona, veterinarian, Austin Pets Alive
- “We work with these small, under-resourced shelters that otherwise wouldn’t have the resources to care for animals,” — Luis Sanchez, communications officer, Austin Pets Alive
- “This way, we can assure our trade partners in other parts of this state, and other states, that we’re not spreading new world screwworm out of this zone if we can help it,” — Erin Robinson, director of communications, Texas Animal Health Commission
- “We want them to bring that same urgency to this issue here,” — Teresa Leger Fernández, U.S. Representative, New Mexico
What’s Next
The IAEA/FAO $1 million project will boost sterile-fly production; USDA’s Grand Challenge will refine traps, therapeutics, AI surveillance and eBeam sterilization. The Protecting America’s Herd Act seeks USDA grants for inspector training and aid to high-risk areas.
