Federal health officials have responded after a major outbreak crossed into the United States.
Federal health officials have ramped up their response to a disturbing parasitic threat after the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating fly long eradicated from American soil, made its return to the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention activated a Level 3 Emergency Operations Center in mid-June to coordinate with the USDA and state authorities following the first confirmed domestic animal case on June 3, 2026.
The outbreak, which has already devastated livestock south of the border, now threatens American agriculture, with officials warning of potentially billions in economic damage if it spreads unchecked.
Conservative critics are questioning whether lax border policies and delayed surveillance allowed the pest to reach U.S. territory after advancing through Central America and Mexico.
The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) can be “deadly.”
Female flies lay their eggs in the open wounds or mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals.
Once hatched, the larvae burrow into living flesh, feeding aggressively and causing painful, life-threatening infestations known as myiasis.
Left untreated, it can kill livestock, pets, and wildlife – and, in rare cases, humans.
The USDA had eradicated the pest from the U.S. by the 1960s using sterile insect techniques, but it persisted in South America and has been marching northward.
The current crisis began gaining momentum earlier this year.
By January 2026, health officials reported over 1,190 human cases and seven deaths across Central America and Mexico, alongside hundreds of animal infections.
Mexico’s Tamaulipas state, which borders Texas, saw active cases just miles from the U.S.
Then, on June 3, the USDA confirmed the first U.S. case: larvae in the umbilical area of a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas.
Additional detections quickly followed in South and Central Texas, including cattle, goats, sheep, and at least one dog.
As of late June, authorities have logged around 16 confirmed animal cases across Texas and New Mexico.
No human cases acquired domestically have been reported, and officials stress the risk to people remains very low—though wounds must be protected.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster, enabling rapid resource deployment.
The USDA established quarantine zones, increased trapping along the border, and launched massive releases of sterile male flies to disrupt the breeding cycle.
The FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization for a generic treatment for pets, providing another tool for containment.
CDC officials activated their emergency center on or around June 11 to support surveillance, public messaging, and preparedness.
“We are treating this with the urgency it deserves,” one federal source told Fox News, emphasizing coordination under a “One Health” approach linking human, animal, and environmental risks.
However, some ranchers and conservatives argue the response highlights broader vulnerabilities at the southern border, where unchecked migration and trade may have accelerated the pest’s spread.
The economic stakes are enormous.
Texas agriculture, a cornerstone of the state’s economy, could face up to $1.8 billion in losses without swift eradication, according to USDA estimates.
The screwworm primarily targets livestock, potentially driving up beef, dairy, and other prices amid existing supply chain pressures.
Wildlife and pets are also vulnerable, though human risk stays minimal with proper wound care.
Moving forward, authorities plan expanded surveillance, continued sterile fly releases (millions per week), and public education campaigns.
Ranchers are urged to inspect animals daily for wounds and report suspicious infestations immediately.
The USDA maintains a public dashboard that tracks cases, and no food supply risk has been identified.
This isn’t the first time the U.S. has faced the screwworm, but officials are determined to repeat past success.
Past outbreaks, like one in the Florida Keys years ago, were stamped out quickly.
Still, experts warn that vigilance is essential as summer progresses and fly activity peaks.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
