New World Screwworm hitchhikes its way to the U.S.-Mexico border

 

Photo and headline:  KTEP, 4/27/2026

Michael Adkison reports:

New World screwworm larva, like the one pictured, will hatch and feed on the flesh of living animals, typically cattle Cases in humans are rare but can be fatal.

Six Texas counties in the Rio Grande Valley are the subject of state-level scrutiny — more than 1,000 miles away. Florida is restricting animal imports from the Lone Star State amid the threat of screwworm detections. 

New World screwworm (NWS) is not currently in the United States, though Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said a case has been confirmed in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, 60 miles south of Texas. 

As a result, Florida is targeting several "high-risk" counties in South Texas, requiring any livestock animals imported from those counties to undergo increased veterinary screenings and treatment.

Related posts:

2026

The fact that experts have to tell ranchers report, dont hide it is probably not a good sign.  (4/29)

Screwworm detected in Mexico less than 50 miles from United States border.  (1/21)

2025

New World screwworm:  Next stop, Laredo Texas.  (9/28)

New World screwworm double vision.  (8/8)

New World screwworm, not yet in United States, is already screwing us at the meat counter.  (7/31)

Are we ready for the New World screwworm?  (7/30)

In the news:  New World Screwworm.  (5/13)