Flesh-Eating Screwworm Invasion in the United States
A deadly parasite, the New World Screwworm, has re-emerged in the U.S. after decades, prompting international trade restrictions and public health concerns.
January 2023
Flesh-eating screwworm hits Mexico in early 2023
The flesh-eating New World screwworm began making its way into Mexico. This movement was associated with border security issues under the previous administration.
Source ↗January 2024
Joe Biden placed ban on bison, horse, and cattle imports from Mexico
Former President Joe Biden placed a ban on bison, horse, and cattle imports from Mexico in 2024. This import ban was subsequently lifted by Trump in February 2025.
Source ↗Screwworm moves through Mexico during 2024
The screwworm continued its progression through Mexico throughout 2024. Agriculture Secretary Rollins cited this movement in relation to immigration policy.
Source ↗March 2025
DOGE Terminates $382 Million in Animal Illness Funding
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) terminated $382 million in funding. This funding was previously aimed at combating animal-borne illnesses globally.
Source ↗April 2025
Article References Past Eradication of Nasty Parasite
A linked article referenced a time when the United States successfully rid itself of this parasite.
Source ↗June 2025
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announces screwworm elimination plan
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a plan to eliminate New World screwworm. This announcement followed the mobilization of federal and state resources.
Source ↗April 2026
USDA breaks ground on sterile fly facility in Edinburg
The USDA broke ground on a sterile fly facility in Edinburg. Republican Sen. John Cornyn and Republican U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz were present at the groundbreaking.
Source ↗June 2026
USDA APHIS confirms New World screwworm detection in Texas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS). The worm was found in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas.
Source ↗Agriculture Secretary addresses screwworm misinformation
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed reports regarding the New World screwworm. She stated that misinformation was creating unnecessary concern and affirmed the department's commitment to accurate information.
Source ↗USDA established 12-mile quarantine area around affected South Texas area
The USDA established a 12-mile quarantine area around the region where the screwworm case was initially detected in South Texas. This action was taken following the detection of the parasite.
Source ↗Calf in Texas tests positive for screwworm parasite
A calf at a ranch in Texas tested positive for the flesh-eating parasite. This marked the first confirmed case in Texas since 1966.
Source ↗USDA detected New World Screwworm in Texas cattle
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the first detection of New World Screwworm in a calf in Texas. The case was confirmed in La Pryor, Texas, near the US-Mexico border.
Source ↗USDA and Texas authorities establishing quarantine zone
Due to the spread risk, the USDA and Texas authorities are establishing a 20km detection and quarantine zone. This measure aims to control the movement of infested animals.
Source ↗USDA Secretary rolls out support to South Texas
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed that USDA personnel arrived in South Texas to support ongoing operations. She urged livestock producers to remain vigilant.
Source ↗USDA Confirms Flesh-Eating Screwworm Infection in South Texas
The USDA confirmed the presence of a flesh-eating screwworm infection. This confirmation was announced in South Texas.
Source ↗Screwworm Fly Makes First Breach of US-Mexico Border
The confirmed infection marks the first documented breach of the US-Mexico border by the screwworm fly.
Source ↗Screwworm Detected in Texas for First Time in 60 Years
The flesh-eating screwworm was detected in Texas for the first time in 60 years. This incident was reported by FactPost.
Source ↗USDA confirms New World Screwworm in South Texas calf
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed New World screwworm (NWS) in cattle in South Texas. The pest was found in the umbilical area of a three-week-old calf.
Source ↗USDA establishes quarantine zone in South Texas
The USDA created a 20-kilometer “infested zone” and implemented quarantines, movement control, and surveillance in the area around the infected calf’s herd. This measure requires the infection to be contained or controlled for removal.
Source ↗USDA halted cattle imports from Mexico
Before the detection in South Texas, the USDA had shut down the U.S.-Mexico border to cattle imports due to reports of NWS cases in Mexico.
Source ↗USDA reported second screwworm case found in Gillespie County, Texas
The USDA announced that another case of the screwworm parasite had been found in Gillespie County. This location is over 100 miles from the initial case report.
Source ↗USDA established quarantine area around South Texas screwworm case
The USDA established a 12-mile quarantine area around the location where the screwworm case was initially detected in South Texas. This action was taken following the detection of the parasite in a calf.
Source ↗USDA detects five New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced five cases of New World screwworm (NWS). These cases were detected in Texas and New Mexico within the span of a week.
Source ↗Three calves and goat confirmed with NWS in Texas
Three calves and one goat in Texas were confirmed to have NWS. These confirmations were part of the recent detection of the parasite.
Source ↗USDA investigates dog case; potential link to Mexico
The USDA detected the first case of NWS in a dog in Lea County, New Mexico. The USDA is investigating this animal and its movement history, noting the dog may have traveled from Mexico.
Source ↗USDA found screwworm case in Gillespie County, New Mexico
The USDA announced that another case of the screwworm parasite was found in Gillespie County, which is over 100 miles from the initial report. Additionally, a dog was found infested in Lea County, New Mexico.
Source ↗Rollins blames Biden's policy for screwworm reinfestation
Agriculture Secretary Rollins stated on CNBC that Joe Biden’s immigration policy was the direct cause of the screwworm reinfestation. This statement was made while Republicans blamed the former President.
Source ↗Brooke Rollins Requests $1 Billion from Donald Trump
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins requested $1 billion from Donald Trump. The funds were intended to build a facility in Texas to breed sterile screwworm flies.
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