Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a high-alert directive, calling on multiple state agencies to ramp up efforts against the New World screwworm—a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living flesh and threaten livestock health, wildlife populations, and even humans.
Although eradicated from the United States in the 1960s, the screwworm has re-emerged in southern Mexico, with recent reports from Veracruz placing the threat just 370 miles from the Texas border .
🧪 What’s at Stake?
- Livestock & wildlife: Larvae infest open wounds and can kill animals within two weeks, leading to massive economic and animal health losses ().
- Public safety: Though rare, human cases have been documented, typically through larvae infesting wounds .
🛡️ Texas Responds
- A Texas New World Screwworm Response Team is now in place: a joint effort by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Animal Health Commission, spearheaded by Gov. Abbott .
- Enhanced border inspections and quarantines are active, including halting livestock imports at southern ports .
- Plans are underway to use medical countermeasures like ivermectin for animals and deploy pheromone traps at key points .
🪰 Federal Action: Bringing Back Sterile Fly Programs
- The USDA is establishing a new $8.5 million sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Texas to counter the infestation .
- In addition, Mexico is enhancing production capacity with a $21 million upgrade aimed at producing 60–100 million sterile flies weekly. These are released to mates in the wild, curbing native screwworm populations .
- The long-term goal is to re-establish a permanent sterile fly buffer, echoing successful campaigns from the 1960s .
✅ Bottom Line
Texas and federal agencies are acting swiftly and decisively—reviving proven strategies like sterile insect release and beefing up border biosecurity—to prevent the screwworm’s return. With growing investment, coordinated state-federal efforts, and historic context, Texas is well-positioned to defend its livestock industry and public health.
But vigilance matters. Ranchers, livestock workers, and border communities should stay alert, report suspicious livestock wounds, and follow updated biosecurity guidance as the response ramps up.
🔗 Source List
- People – “U.S. Plans to Drop Millions of Flies…Fight Flesh-Eating Maggots”
- Midland Reporter-Telegram – “USDA halts southern border livestock trade…”
- Houston Chronicle – “U.S. halts livestock imports…”
- Houston Chronicle – “Abbott directive to form joint response team…”
- Laredo Morning Times – “Texas agencies unite…”
- Houston Chronicle – “New $8.5M Texas facility…”
- Midland Reporter-Telegram – “USDA launches $8.5M South Texas facility…”
- Axios – “U.S. to breed billions of flies…”
- AP News – “US re-closes southern border…”
- **Close-up screwworm larva**
Sharp image revealing the mouth hooks and feeding apparatus.
📷 Source: KVUE (local Texas news)
**High-detail larva portrait**
Macro capture of a screwworm larva tip, showing its spiral body form and feeding hooks.
📷 Source: Dallas News / Associated Press
