Screwworm Detection Prompts Quarantine, Response Across Texas Ranchers
PUBLISHED Jun 4, 2026, 11:07 AM ET
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La Pryor, Texas. On June 3, 2026 the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed a New World screwworm infestation in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, prompting immediate identification of larvae and notification of state and federal animal-health authorities; investigators documented the umbilical-area infestation and sampled the animal for confirmation. This week state and federal teams established a roughly 20-kilometer quarantine zone around the detection site, set fly traps, and released sterile flies as part of containment efforts; USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Texas officials said only one case is confirmed so far and urged heightened vigilance from ranchers and veterinarians.
By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News
Aggregated From:
Timeline of Events
- Historical eradication removed screwworm from the U.S. in the mid-20th century.
- In recent years the fly advanced north from South America through Central America toward Mexico.
- June 3, 2026: USDA confirmed a screwworm in a calf in Zavala County, Texas.
- Early June 2026: Texas established a quarantine zone near La Pryor and USDA dispatched teams.
- Early June 2026: Authorities set traps, released sterile flies, and increased surveillance and reporting.
News Intelligence
- Screwworms pose a real threat to livestock health. If you're a rancher or live near farming communities, heightened vigilance is key. Watch for unusual wounds on your animals and report any suspicions to your local vet or animal-health authorities.
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Federal and state animal health agencies and response contractors received increased resources and coordination to detect and contain the pest, improving surveillance and response capacity in the short term.
Ranchers, livestock owners, local economies, and wildlife faced immediate animal-health threats, movement restrictions, and potential economic losses due to quarantine and control measures.
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Screwworm Detection Prompts Quarantine, Response Across Texas Ranchers
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