Cases of the New World screwworm (NWS) have been detected in Texas<\/a> and New Mexico<\/a>, posing a serious threat to local livestock and wildlife<\/a>, and, in rarer cases, to humans and birds.<\/p>\n DEADLY PARASITE LINKED TO CANCER-LIKE TUMORS DETECTED IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST<\/a><\/p>\n Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the launch of an enhanced website<\/a> that offers comprehensive information about the New World screwworm for residents.<\/p>\n The New World screwworm is a species of the parasitic fly that completes part of its lifecycle by feeding on the tissue or flesh of warm-blooded animals and people.<\/p>\n (USDA \/ FOX Weather)<\/p>\n Abbott said Texans will now have access to maps, training, identification resources, reporting tools and the latest updates to help protect livestock, wildlife<\/a> and rural communities.<\/p>\n “This new website puts essential tools in the hands of our producers, veterinarians and families,” Abbott said in a statement.<\/p>\n You’ll be able to access reliable information about the parasite, including fact sheets, videos and educational materials.<\/p>\n There will also be zone maps, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA<\/a>) case dashboard, links to best practices for livestock and wildlife, and details on registering for the new no-cost Certified Inspector Training, according to Abbott.<\/p>\n FDA APPROVES EMERGENCY USE OF MEDICATION TO TREAT FLESH-EATING PARASITE IN DOGS AND CATS<\/a><\/p>\n The governor said it’s important to provide public outreach and clear, accessible information to reduce risk.<\/p>\n AUSTIN, TEXAS – JUNE 5: A poster with information on the New World Screwworm is displayed during a press conference with government officials at the Texas Division of Emergency Management State Operations Center on June 5, 2026, in Austin, Texas.<\/p>\n (Joel Angel Juarez \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n There are currently 12 New World screwworm cases reported in the U.S., according to the USDA dashboard<\/a>. Cattle, goats, sheep and dogs are among those cases.<\/p>\n These are the first noted cases in animals since at least 2017, when a small outbreak was found and eradicated in Florida<\/a>, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).<\/p>\n NEW FLESH-EATING BUG PUTS US LIVESTOCK FARMERS ON ALERT<\/a><\/p>\n Just last week, the USDA approved the emergency use of medication<\/a> to treat New World screwworm in dogs and cats.<\/p>\n New World screwworm whole larvae.<\/p>\n (CDC \/ FOX Weather)<\/p>\n In addition to the website, Texas officials have created the joint NWS Response Team, bringing together state agencies, producers, veterinarians, wildlife experts and federal partners.<\/p>\n USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Abbott have also announced a $750 million sterile fly production facility<\/a> in Edinburg.<\/p>\n The State of Texas has issued a statewide disaster declaration to mobilize resources and strengthen response efforts.<\/p>\n OFFICIALS AIM TO COMBAT SPREAD OF FLESH-EATING PARASITE WITH NEW STERILE FLY PRODUCTION FACILITY<\/a><\/p>\n The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly species that feeds on the tissue or flesh of warm-blooded animals and people to complete parts of its life cycle, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC<\/a>) said.<\/p>\n The flesh-eating parasite, the New World screwworm, was detected this month in the Mexican state of Nuevo Le\u00f3n, just 90 miles away from the U.S. boarder.\u00a0<\/p>\n (Getty Images \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n The infestation begins when adult females are attached to open wounds and body openings, such as the eyes, nose, mouth or genitals.<\/p>\n They lay their eggs \u2014 usually 200 to 300 at a time \u2014 in these vulnerable areas, which quickly hatch into maggots that burrow into the wound or opening to feed on the flesh. After about seven days of feeding, the larvae then drop to the ground, pupate and eventually emerge into an adult screwworm.\u00a0<\/p>\n This is not only harmful to the infected, but also leads to economic loss.<\/p>\n EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER ACTIVATED AFTER FLESH-EATING PARASITE BREACHES 2 STATE BORDERS<\/a><\/p>\n In 2023, Panama and Costa Rica<\/a> identified an outbreak of the New World screwworm. Since then, all countries in Central America <\/a>and Mexico<\/a> have reported cases among animals and people.<\/p>\n When contracting the parasite, human patients typically experience symptoms such as feeling or seeing maggots in the skin, a foul-smelling odor from the site of infection, and bleeding open sores, the CDC said.\u00a0<\/p>\n UVALDE, TEXAS – JUNE 6: People drive along U.S. Route 83 leaving La Pryor as they are warned of a livestock checkpoint set up by the Texas Animal Heath Commission in response to the New World Screwworm on June 6, 2026 in Uvalde, Texas.\u00a0<\/p>\n (\u00a0(Photo by Joel Angel Juarez\/Getty Images) \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n The USDA is urging all residents in the area to monitor pets and livestock for indications of NWS by looking for draining or enlarged wounds and signs of discomfort.<\/p>\n For any livestock or pets with suspected cases, you’re advised to report it to the Texas Animal Health Commission’s 24-hour veterinarian call line at 1-800-550-8242.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/nws-larva-landscape.jpg\")
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