WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Federal and state officials are escalating their response to New World screwworm after USDA confirmed two additional cases in Texas on Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed U.S. detections to four and prompting Texas Governor Greg Abbott to activate the State Emergency Operations Center.
USDA confirmed the latest cases involve a calf in La Salle County and a dog in Andrews County. The detections follow two previously confirmed cases in Zavala County and mark the first known U.S. outbreak of the livestock pest in decades. Federal officials say epidemiological investigations remain underway as response efforts expand across affected areas.
In response, Governor Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate the State Emergency Operations Center at Level II, an escalated response level designed to coordinate state resources and support ongoing containment efforts. Multiple agencies, including the Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Department of Agriculture, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, have been called into the response effort.
“The protection of our ranchers, livestock producers, deer breeders, and the Texas economy from this pest is a top priority,” Abbott said in a statement announcing the activation.
State officials are urging livestock owners to inspect animals daily for wounds and report any suspected cases immediately.
USDA and the Texas Animal Health Commission say they are continuing aggressive surveillance, trapping, testing, and sterile fly release operations to contain and eradicate the pest before it spreads further. Federal officials report that dozens of personnel are currently deployed on the ground, supported by hundreds more working in diagnostics, logistics, air operations, and planning.
The detections come just days after USDA confirmed the first U.S. case in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas. Officials have repeatedly emphasized that New World screwworm poses a serious threat to livestock, wildlife, pets, and, in rare cases, humans. The larvae infest open wounds and feed on living tissue, potentially causing severe injury or death if left untreated.
Looking ahead, USDA is expected to continue expanding sterile fly dispersal operations while construction advances on a new sterile fly production facility in South Texas. The agency has previously indicated the facility will play a key role in long-term eradication efforts as officials work to prevent the pest from becoming established in the United States once again.
Animal health officials continue to stress that early detection remains critical and are encouraging producers across the region to closely monitor livestock and report any suspicious wounds or infestations.
