USDA Expands Quarantine and Surveillance Efforts to Control Screwworm Cases
The U.S. Department of Agriculture continues its efforts to contain New World screwworm (NWS) outbreaks in the Southwest. As of June 23, 2026, officials reported 13 active cases across seven counties in Texas. Three additional cases have been classified as inactive, including two in Texas and one in New Mexico.
To prevent further spread, USDA has established quarantine zones around affected areas and implemented movement restrictions, enhanced monitoring, and increased surveillance activities.
These controls are limited to designated infested zones and do not affect normal cattle movement elsewhere. Sterile flies are also being released in and around impacted regions as part of ongoing eradication efforts.
USDA recently announced funding for 40 projects aimed at strengthening the nation’s ability to detect, control, and respond to NWS outbreaks.
The selected initiatives are expected to improve surveillance methods, enhance eradication strategies, and boost emergency response capabilities.
The projects stem from the New World Screwworm Grand Challenge, launched earlier this year to encourage innovative solutions from government agencies, universities, and private organizations.
Proposals were evaluated based on scientific merit, creativity, and their potential impact on preventing the spread of the pest.
In addition to the newly funded projects, USDA is supporting two separate research efforts. Texas A&M AgriLife Research is examining the use of electron beam technology as a non-radioactive alternative for sterilizing screwworm pupae.
Meanwhile, the University of Florida is testing U.S.-manufactured X-ray systems for the same purpose using secondary screwworms as a stand-in species.
For more information on the projects, click here.