FRIO COUNTY, TEXAS - JUNE 17: Cattle graze under a shaded tree at Lew Thompson's ranch on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Frio County. (Andrew J. Whitaker/San Antonio Express-News via Getty Images)
Federal and state agricultural officials have confirmed that the number of New World screwworm cases in the United States has reached 27, prompting Texas authorities to issue a fresh round of emergency quarantine orders to combat the flesh-eating parasite's expansion in West Texas.
According to official records, 26 of the confirmed cases are concentrated across Texas, with one domestic animal case previously identified in Lea County, New Mexico.
The newest detection, confirmed on June 27, 2026, was found in a bovine in Crockett County. The case marks the second time in less than a week that the aggressive parasite has bypassed active containment barriers in the region, forcing Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) Executive Director Dr. Lewis R. Dinges to sign an immediate emergency order expanding strict livestock movement restrictions.
Outbreak escalates in West and Central Texas
The June 27 bovine detection follows a string of rapidly evolving cases in Crockett County, where the parasite was previously found in sheep on June 20 and June 24.
In response to the latest cattle infection, Dr. Dinges issued a modified executive mandate on June 28, officially establishing Infested Zone 07.B. This new order completely replaces previous restrictions and broadens the quarantine boundaries. The expanded containment zone now heavily restricts livestock and animal transport across designated portions of five neighboring counties:
- Crockett
- Schleicher
- Sutton
- Terrell (Newly added to this zone)
- Val Verde
View the zone map
This escalation comes just days after the TAHC scrambled to contain a separate geographic expansion along the South Texas border. On June 26, officials established Infested Zone 10 covering parts of Jim Hogg, Starr, and Zapata counties after a bovine tested positive in Jim Hogg County.
There is currently a quarantine in place due to an established New World Screwworm Infested Zone in parts of the following Texas counties: Bandera, Coke, Crockett, Edwards, Gillespie, Jim Hogg, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Medina, Pecos, Schleicher, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Tom Green, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Zapata, Zavala.
Texas secures immediate federal funding to hire livestock inspectors and fight ongoing New World screwworm out
Texas secures immediate USDA funding to hire more livestock inspectors and reinforce operations against the ongoing parasitic New World screwworm outbreak.
Strict Quarantine Controls Enforced
State agricultural officials emphasize that localized quarantines and strict movement restrictions are actively enforced across parts of 21 Texas counties.
Under the active TAHC emergency mandates, no warm-blooded animals located within these designated infested zones can be moved outside the quarantine borders without prior official authorization. Hides, carcasses, and animal parts capable of hosting the larvae are also barred from transport until they are physically inspected, treated, and cleared by a commission representative. Unauthorized movement remains subject to administrative penalties and criminal prosecution.
Agricultural Threat
The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is considered a severe threat to livestock, exotic livestock, and wildlife. The parasitic fly targets open wounds, even minor abrasions, castration sites, or tick bites, to deposit eggs. The hatched larvae burrow into live tissue, causing a painful condition known as myiasis, which can be fatal if untreated.
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Screwworm risk and household pets
While state animal health officials race to contain the New World screwworm, federal officials confirmed the first case of the parasite in a dog. FOX 7 Austin's Alec Nolan has more on what pet owners might want to be aware of.
Governor Greg Abbott’s statewide disaster proclamation, originally issued on January 29, 2026, and updated on June 5, remains actively in effect to facilitate rapid resource deployment through the State Emergency Operations Center.
Livestock and pet owners are urged to inspect animals daily. Suspected cases must be reported immediately to the TAHC at 512-719-0700.
The Source: The Source: Information in this article is from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Office of the Texas Governor.