Abbott Launches NWS Tracker as 12 U.S. Screwworm Cases Hit Texas and New Mexico
Updated
Updated · Fox Weather · Jun 21
Abbott Launches NWS Tracker as 12 U.S. Screwworm Cases Hit Texas and New Mexico
3 articles · Updated · Fox Weather · Jun 21
Summary
Texas rolled out an enhanced New World screwworm website and a joint response team after detections in Texas and New Mexico raised alarms for livestock, wildlife and rural communities.
The state site bundles USDA case maps, reporting tools, identification guides, training and best-practice materials, aiming to help producers, veterinarians and residents spot and contain infections quickly.
12 U.S. cases are now listed on the USDA dashboard, involving cattle, goats, sheep and dogs—the first animal cases since a small Florida outbreak was eradicated in 2017.
$750 million has already been committed to a sterile-fly production facility in Edinburg, while Texas has issued a statewide disaster declaration and the USDA last week cleared emergency treatment use for dogs and cats.
The threat has intensified since Nuevo León, Mexico—about 90 miles from the U.S. border—reported detections this month, extending a regional outbreak that has spread through Central America and Mexico since 2023.
Eradicated decades ago, the flesh-eating screwworm is back. What does its return signal about our vulnerability to future biological threats?
A $750M facility is planned for just 12 screwworm cases. Is this a vital biosecurity investment or a massive overreaction?
Can millions of sterile flies released weekly stop this outbreak before a permanent solution is ready in 2027?
2026 New World Screwworm Crisis: U.S. Outbreak, Economic Impact, and Eradication Strategies
Overview
As of June 22, 2026, the United States is facing a renewed threat from New World screwworm (NWS), with the first case confirmed in a young calf in Zavala County, Texas, followed by a second nearby case just hours later. The outbreak has also included a human case linked to travel from El Salvador and an infested dog in New Mexico, whose infection source remains unclear after officials confirmed it had not traveled. These cases have triggered a rapid federal and state response, including disaster declarations, new investments, and public guidance to prevent further spread and protect both animals and people.