USDA confirms Texas goat found infected with New World Screwworm, animal contained

DRYDEN, Texas – Federal agriculture officials have confirmed a new case of New World screwworm in a goat in Terrell County, Texas, marking another detection as state and federal crews ramp up surveillance and containment.

In an update posted to X, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the case was found in a castration site wound. The agency emphasized that “NWS only infests open wounds — it does not affect healthy skin.”

USDA said the Terrell County detection is “approximately 180 miles west of the initial Texas detection and 74 miles west of the nearest previously confirmed case.”

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The agency also provided broader context on the outbreak, saying Mexico has reported “over 29,000 cases since November 2024” and “currently has around 1,800 active cases.” USDA said “the U.S. has 16 cases.”

USDA said it and state animal health officials are “actively responding with enhanced surveillance and established containment protocols,” adding that “sterile flies will be dispersed imminently as part of our aggressive eradication efforts.”