06/29/2026
Ag News
Contact: Jay Diehl [email protected]
Finding Reliable information on the New World Screwworm
The detection of New World Screwworms in Texas has generated plenty of questions—and plenty of
opinions. Unfortunately, not all the information being shared is accurate.
Let’s review the basics. First, this is not a new insect. It is an old livestock pest that was eradicated from
the United States decades ago and has now been detected again in Texas. This New World Screwworm
(NWS) affects all warm-blooded animals including livestock, wildlife, pets, and even people.
Second, this is not a food safety issue. Meat inspection in the United States has been federally regulated
since 1906. Animals showing signs of disease or abnormal conditions do not enter the food supply. The
recent screwworm detections are an animal health issue, not a food safety issue.
Third, and most important to realize, we have a proven solution – the Sterile Insect Technique. Sterilized
male flies are released to mate in an area with an established NWS population. Females, only mating
once in their lifetime, then lay nonviable eggs. The population decreases without the addition of new
larvae and dies off naturally over a few lifecycles.
Through close inspection of animals and prompt reporting when a problem is found, we can treat
wounds on affected animals and flood the area with the sterile insects. Other ‘suggested remedies’ are
not effective and should be avoided to save you time and money.
Social media posts, discussion forums, and many online videos should not be considered primary
sources of information.
News reports can be useful for awareness, but they are often summarizing information produced by
animal health agencies. Whenever possible, go directly to the original source.
There are only four places to go for real, fact-based information. USDA- Animal & Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS), Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and the Texas A&M
AgriLife Extension Service (AgriLife).
APHIS information can be found at Screwworm.gov. Look for the link “View Dashboard” and you can
scroll down to see the map and table with cases listed out by county, date, species, and current status.
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) was established in 1893 as the Livestock Sanitary
Commission and charged with protecting the state's domestic animals "from all contagious or infectious
diseases of a malignant character." The Commission’s website contains extensive information on New
World Screwworms in Texas, including current response efforts, movement requirements, reporting
procedures, and maps.
Go to www.tahc.texas.gov and click on the New World Screwworm link. If you think you have an
infection in livestock, call the TAHC at 903-919-3748. The latest infection and restricted-zone maps are
also available through the TAHC website.
Texas Parks & Wildlife is the leading agency for wildlife affected by NWS. Check out their website at
https://tpwd.texas.gov and call (409) 383-8055 if you find wildlife alive with larvae (maggots) in or
around Angelina County.
AgriLife is the lead on educational outreach. You’ll find many of our posts and stories sent to you directly
to the agencies listed above.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott tasked AgriLife to create a free New World Screwworm inspector training.
The course, created by AgriLife, provides in-depth information on screwworm identification, inspection,
reporting, and treatment. This new course is now online and free for all who want to learn more and
potentially help.
The course is four hours long and serves as the foundational course to become a TAHC certified
inspector. This course directly supports safe, documented animal movement and helps protect Texas
agriculture during an NWS response. To sign up for the course, search online for “AgriLife Learn NWS”.
The key right now is awareness, not panic. Texas has dealt with this pest before and has a proven
response system in place. Learn how to recognize the signs, inspect animals regularly, and rely on
information from the agencies responsible for protecting animal health. Good information is one of the
most valuable tools we have in responding to New World Screwworm.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jay Diehl is the County Extension Agent for agriculture and natural resources for Polk County. His email
address is [email protected]
Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard
to race, color, s*x, disability, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, or veteran status. The
Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of
Texas Cooperating.
TPWD.Texas.gov is the place to find information about Texas state parks, hunting, fishing, licenses, wildlife, Game Wardens, boat registration and more.
