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Flesh-Eating Screwworm Returns to U.S. Cattle After 60 Years, Sparking Agricultural Crisis

The USDA confirmed the presence of the New World screwworm in a Texas elk, marking a critical escalation in the ongoing agricultural outbreak. The jump into unmanaged wildlife complicates federal eradication efforts and raises the economic stakes for the regional livestock industry.

Factlen Newsroom· Updated

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The USDA confirmed the first U.S. wildlife case of New World screwworm in a female elk harvested in Pecos County, Texas.From: Flesh-Eating Screwworm Parasite Detected in US Wildlife for First Time in 60 Years

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Key numbers

16
Confirmed U.S. animal cases
115 million
Sterile flies produced weekly
500–700 million
Sterile flies needed weekly
$1.3 billion
Emergency federal funding
$105 million
USDA grants for eradication tech

From: Flesh-Eating Screwworm Returns to U.S. Cattle After 60 Years, Sparking Agricultural Crisis

Charts, maps and images

The parasite breached a biological barrier in Panama in 2023, reaching the U.S. border by 2026.From: Flesh-Eating Screwworm Parasite Detected in US Wildlife for First Time in 60 Years ·
A widespread outbreak could cost the Texas agricultural economy an estimated $1.8 billion in direct losses.From: Flesh-Eating Screwworm Parasite Detected in US Wildlife for First Time in 60 Years ·
The parasite has steadily moved north from Panama since 2023.From: Flesh-Eating Screwworm Returns to U.S. Cattle After 60 Years, Sparking Agricultural Crisis ·
Current sterile fly production falls hundreds of millions short of what experts say is needed.From: Flesh-Eating Screwworm Returns to U.S. Cattle After 60 Years, Sparking Agricultural Crisis ·
Federal authorities are deploying drone surveillance and trail cameras to monitor wild herds across West Texas.From: Flesh-Eating Screwworm Parasite Detected in US Wildlife for First Time in 60 Years ·
The USDA is releasing millions of sterile male flies to crash the screwworm population.From: Flesh-Eating Screwworm Returns to U.S. Cattle After 60 Years, Sparking Agricultural Crisis ·

Timeline

October 2026

  1. Flesh-Eating Screwworm Parasite Detected in US Wildlife for First Time in 60 Years

June 2026

  1. Flesh-Eating Screwworm Returns to U.S. Cattle After 60 Years, Sparking Agricultural Crisis