Screwworm in Texas: Pest found in Sutton Co. goat, state cases climb to 11
Screwworm in Texas: Pest found in Sutton Co. goat, state cases climb to 11
By Steven Ardary
The Brief
- Officials confirmed a case of New World screwworm in a goat in Sutton County Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in Texas to 11.
- The Texas Animal Commission has established six infestation zones in an attempt to stop movement of the parasite.
- According to TAHC, six areas of the state have been designated as "infested zones" and include Coke, Edwards, Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Schleicher,Sutton, Tom Green, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb and Zavala counties. A quarantine is in place for those areas and warm-blooded animals cannot leave an affected area without authorization.
Federal officials have detected 11 cases of New World screwworm in Texas as of Tuesday as state officials continue to limit livestock movement.
The latest case was found in a goat in Sutton County Saturday and Texas Animal Health Commission officials have designated six areas of the state as infested zones.
New World screwworm in Texas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified 11 cases of New World screwworm in Texas since June 3. Cases have been found in Edwards, Tom Green, Zavala, Gillespie, Sutton and La Salle counties. The pests have been found in cattle and goats.
Officials initially reported an additional case involving a dog in Andrews County on June 8. However, after further epidemiological investigation, authorities determined the animal lives in Lea County, New Mexico, and the case was reclassified as New Mexico's first confirmed New World screwworm infection.
The veterinarian who submitted samples from the dog is based in Texas, officials said. Early reports indicated the dog had recently traveled to Mexico.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said updates will be provided as additional cases are confirmed. The agency has established a public information page and said situation reports will be updated daily when new detections occur.
6 quarantine zones established in Texas
According to TAHC, six areas of the state have been designated as "infested zones" and include Coke, Edwards, Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Schleicher, Sutton, Tom Green, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb and Zavala counties. A quarantine is in place for those areas and warm-blooded animals cannot leave an affected area without authorization.
TAHC infestation zones as of June 16, 2026.
What is New World Screwworm?
The New World screwworm is considered one of the most devastating livestock and wildlife pests in history.
The insect gets its name because it’s only found in the Americas.
It lays its eggs in the open wounds of animals, and its larvae become parasites. Unlike common fly larvae, screwworm maggots burrow into and feed exclusively on the living flesh of warm-blooded animals, causing severe injury, massive economic loss, and death if left untreated.
While rare, they can also infect humans.