By News Staff on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 New world screwworm adult fly Courtesy of Texas A&M Agrilife New World screwworm larva Courtesy of Texas A&M Agrilife Experts emphasize prevention, early detection and reporting protocols as Texas enters heightened awareness June 3, 2026 - by Adam Russell | Texas A&M AgriLifeFollowing the June 3 announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, APHIS, confirming the presence of New World screwworm, NWS, in Texas, experts across Texas A&M AgriLife are supporting state and federal agencies in their response and providing educational programming and resources to help protect livestock producers, wildlife managers, veterinarians, public health professionals and Texas families.

The USDA-APHIS confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County on June 3.

Although the parasite presents serious risks to livestock, wildlife, companion animals and, in rare instances, humans, experts emphasize that Texas is not in crisis mode but rather is entering a period of heightened awareness and coordinated response.