Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in all 254 counties [3] after the USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case.
The parasite poses a severe threat to the livestock industry and cattle health. Because the pest had not been present in the U.S. since 1966 [1], the sudden reappearance risks devastating the state's agricultural economy.
The infection was discovered in late March 2026 in a three-week-old calf located in Zavala County, near the U.S.-Mexico border [2]. The New World screwworm is known to devour the living tissue of animals, causing significant damage to livestock if left untreated.
Governor Abbott activated an emergency response to prevent the spread of the parasite across the region. While some reports from federal authorities previously suggested the parasite was not present in the U.S., the USDA later confirmed this as the first case in Texas in 60 years [1].
The outbreak has already impacted consumer markets. Reports indicate that meat prices have risen by up to 60% [2] as a result of the emergency and the threat to cattle populations.
State officials and federal agents are monitoring the border region to contain the infestation. The emergency declaration allows the state to mobilize resources quickly to protect the livestock industry from further losses.
“The parasite poses a severe threat to the livestock industry and cattle health.”
The return of the New World screwworm after six decades represents a significant biosecurity failure and a potential economic crisis for the U.S. beef industry. Because the parasite targets living tissue, it can cause rapid livestock mortality and widespread financial instability, as evidenced by the immediate spike in meat prices. The statewide disaster declaration suggests that Texas officials view the threat as systemic rather than isolated, necessitating a total mobilization of veterinary and agricultural resources to prevent a long-term collapse in cattle production.
