The US Department of Agriculture has flagged a possible case of New World screwworm in South Texas.
According to a Hindustan Times report, the sample has been sent to the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, for confirmatory testing.
USDA said it has already activated personnel on the ground and is working with local partners, while the case is being treated as “presumptive positive” based on a USDA source.
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A case of NWS may have been detected in South Texas. The sample is now at USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, lowa for confirmatory testing. We will provide updates the moment results are available.
— Dept. of Agriculture (@USDA) June 3, 2026
We have already activated personnel on the ground…
Explaining the parasite
New World screwworm, or Cochliomyia hominivorax, is a parasitic fly that feeds on the tissue or flesh of warm-blooded animals and people.
It is attracted to openings in the body and wounds, and often lays eggs in the nose, eyes, ears and mouth.
Those eggs hatch into maggots that eat live tissue, creating a worsening and often painful wound with a foul smell, according to the CDC.
To combat the threat of New World screwworm, @USDA is taking a whole-of-government approach to keep this pest out of the United States. 🇺🇸
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) April 17, 2026
✅ Stopping the spread in Mexico: Working with our partners across the border to expand sterile fly production, deploy advanced… pic.twitter.com/WDKaXtmbIz
Symptoms, prevention and treatment
The article also outlined symptoms that can include seeing or feeling maggots move within a skin wound or sore, wounds that worsen within days, bleeding from open sores and a foul odour.
It said prevention includes sleeping indoors, keeping open wounds clean and covered, using EPA-registered insect repellent, treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, and wearing clothing that limits exposure to biting insects.
Treatment may require a medical expert to surgically remove each maggot.
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Market jitters and political concern
The possible detection has also drawn attention in agricultural markets.
Cattle futures have long been sensitive to the threat of New World screwworm, with traders concerned that an infestation in the US could hurt consumer demand for beef because of fear around the parasite.
Over the longer term, such an infestation could support prices by tightening US cattle supply.
US Representative Frank Lucas was among the first public figures to react, saying on X that the prospect of screwworm reaching the United States is “deeply concerning” for livestock ranchers and the health of the herd.
He urged the President and USDA to use all available resources to protect livestock and eliminate the threat.
