New World screwworm detected in Texas, prompting emergency response

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of the New World screwworm in Zavala County, Texas, on June 3, 2026. This pest, which affects cattle, was eradicated in the U.S. 60 years ago. The discovery comes at a time when the U.S. beef herd is at its smallest in 75 years, and retail beef prices are at record highs. The USDA's response plan includes quarantining and treating affected animals, rather than culling them, as was done during previous outbreaks. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins had previously stated that the pest was not found near the U.S. border, but the USDA's confirmation indicates otherwise. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is actively working to address the situation. Live cattle futures dropped approximately 0.8% following the announcement, after experiencing significant price increases over the past five years. The USDA plans to expedite treatment supplies and release sterile flies to manage the pest's population.