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Florida Bars Texas, New Mexico Pets Amid Screwworm Surge

7/10/2026

28 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Florida blocked dogs and cats from Texas and New Mexico in June because of screwworm outbreak.
USDA reported screwworm cases in six Texas counties and one New Mexico county on July 7 2026.
The flesh-eating worm reappeared in cattle in June 2026, the first U.S. detection in 50 years, raising cases above 30.
Agencies have spent $1.3 billion since Jan 2025 on a fly release program while veterinarians urge owners to check wounds and seek care.

History

Historical Context

Beginning in the early 1950s, USDA entomologists led by Edward Knipling developed the sterile-insect technique, first proving it on Curaçao in 1954 and later releasing over 94 billion sterile flies across the U.S. and Mexico through the 1960s-70s. The program eliminated screwworms from the United States by 1982, but re-detections in Texas in 2026 prompted Florida’s pet-import ban.

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Story summary

Florida blocked dogs and cats from Texas and New Mexico in June because of screwworm outbreak.
USDA reported screwworm cases in six Texas counties and one New Mexico county on July 7 2026.
The flesh-eating worm reappeared in cattle in June 2026, the first U.S. detection in 50 years, raising cases above 30.
Agencies have spent $1.3 billion since Jan 2025 on a fly release program while veterinarians urge owners to check wounds and seek care.

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