The bouts of exceptional warmth are driven in large part by the continued emissions of heat-trapping gases, mainly from the burning of fossil fuels.
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May-June 2026
April 2026
March 2026
February 2026
January 2026
The most recent Texas detections were two infestations in sheep in Crockett County, both confirmed June 30.
This tracker is updated as new infestations are confirmed. Continue reading for answers to common questions about the New World screwworm, including how infestations begin, which animals are at risk and what Texans should know.
What is the New World screwworm?
Despite its name, the New World screwworm isn't a worm. It is the larval stage of the fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax), a parasite that feeds on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals.
Infestations begin when an adult female screwworm fly lays eggs in an open wound or natural body opening. Within hours, the eggs hatch and the larvae begin feeding on living tissue, unlike common maggots, which feed on dead or decaying tissue.
As the larvae burrow deeper into tissue, wounds become larger and often infected. Without treatment, infestations can be fatal.
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June 16-30, 2026
June 1-15, 2026
Jan-May 2026
2025
Photo and headline: RSPB, 7/3/2026
According to a new study led by the RSPB and Aarhus University, Gannet populations at two of the world’s largest colonies, Bass Rock in Scotland and Grassholm in Wales, are not expected to recover from the impact of bird flu until 2041 at the earliest.
The findings show bird flu was responsible for a fourfold increase in the deaths of adult Gannets. The UK is responsible for a high proportion of the global population.
In the 11 years prior to 2022, the average annual mortality rates were 6% at Bass Rock and 11% at Grassholm. During the outbreak, this rose to 33% and 47% respectively.\
In 2023, a year after the outbreak, this led to a 26% decrease in the size of the colony at Bass Rock and a 38% decline at Grassholm.
Other bird flu posts:
July 2026
June 21-30
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May 16-31
May 11-15
May 6-10
May 1-5:
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April 21-25:
April 16-20
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