WASHINGTON, DC, JUNE 03, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock and economic losses.
The affected animal is a 3-week-old calf and larvae were identified in its umbilical area. To date, there have been no further detections.
This happened within an hour or a day of this:
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is pushing back on reports that New World screwworm has been found within a mile of the U.S. border.
During a call with reporters this week, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said misinformation surrounding the situation creates unnecessary concern and emphasized the department’s commitment to providing accurate information.”