As concern grows over the potential impact of the New World screwworm in Texas and across the country, one state official has a message: “Texans deserve answers.”
Rep. Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor currently serving District 49 in the Texas House, said in a post on X Sunday that she is calling for a public hearing on the New World screwworm.
“I am writing to request a public interim hearing of the House Agriculture & Livestock Committee in response to the concerning updates we’ve received related to the spread of the new world screwworm,” Hinojosa wrote to Speaker Dustin Burrows. “I know this is an unorthodox request because I am not a member of the committee, but traveling the state and in the district I represent, I am hearing real concerns about food security.”
RELATED: Texas just confirmed a second case of the flesh-eating screwworm
In the last week, two New World screwworm cases have been confirmed in Texas. The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue after females lay eggs in wounds or body openings, causing severe injury or even death.
Texas State Representative Gina Hinojosa (D-District 49) speaks alongside fellow representatives and religious leaders, as they prepare to deliver a petition to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer calling for an end to the filibuster, the passage of the For The People Act and restoring the Voting Rights Act, at the U.S. Supreme Court on August 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Hinojosa recently called for a public hearing related to the New World screwworm after two cases were confirmed in Texas. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
On Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration related to the screwworm threat, pushing for an acceleration of moving sterile flies into the state to protect against an invasion. Abbott and other officials have warned that the New World screwworm has the potential to devastate Texas livestock.
RELATED: Texas launches $750M plant, targets growing New World screwworm threat
Against that backdrop, Hinojosa said agriculture is foundational to the identity of Texas, highlighting that the state is the largest producer of American cattle, and that the industry employs one in 10 Texans.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott attends a press conference with government officials discussing the New World Screwworm threat at the Texas Division of Emergency Management State Operations Center on June 5, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Joel Angel Juarez/Getty Images)
“The potential economic impact of a serious outbreak is devastating, which only increases the legislature’s responsibility to ensure our response meets the needs of Texans, keeps Texas farmers in business and keeps beef on the table for Texas families,” Hinojosa wrote.
Concern over the screwworm has grown in recent days. This week, Canada placed a temporary ban on Texas cattle as a result of the recently reported cases, according to BBC. The Democratic candidate for Texas governor is calling for transparency and public awareness in how the situation will be tackled moving forward.
“We owe Texans a public vetting of the state’s response to this crisis,” Hinojosa wrote. “I believe it is in the public interest to hold an immediate hearing … to ensure the members of our body are properly informed about the impacts of the new world screwworm, our state and federal government’s plan to combat this parasite, and any steps Texans can take to mitigate its spread.”
More News
HPD | Houston mayor says city police force larger than ever
Expansion | 500-home community planned for Hockley near Houston
Revivals | Bed Bath & Beyond returns from the dead in Texas
Upgrades | Some of Houston’s most busted sidewalks are finally getting fixed
For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here.
This article originally published at Texas governor candidate seeks public hearing on screwworm threat.