Story perspectives

Texas Launches Screwworm Eradication: $205M Funding, 130 M Flies Released

6/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Texas Governor Greg Abbott unveiled a website centralizing screwworm information for producers and veterinarians.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported 15 screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico as of June 21, 2026.
USDA has released 130 million male flies and allocated $100 million for eradication and $105 million in research grants to Texas universities.
State officials imposed quarantine orders on 13 Texas counties.
New York State has restricted livestock and pet movement from regions.

History

Historical Context

Edward F. Knipling’s sterile-insect technique, first tested on Curaçao in 1954 and expanded to release over 94 billion sterile screwworm flies across the U.S. from 1962-1975, eradicated the pest by 1966. After a 2024 re-emergence in southern Mexico, USDA confirmed a Texas case in June 2026, prompting a coordinated response reminiscent of the mid-20th-century program.

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Story summary

Texas Governor Greg Abbott unveiled a website centralizing screwworm information for producers and veterinarians.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported 15 screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico as of June 21, 2026.
USDA has released 130 million male flies and allocated $100 million for eradication and $105 million in research grants to Texas universities.
State officials imposed quarantine orders on 13 Texas counties.
New York State has restricted livestock and pet movement from regions.

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