Flesh-eating maggot fly found in Texas triggers warning across southern states

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleGov. Greg Abbott speaks alongside Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, ranchers, and health officials during a press conference at the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory on June 08, 2026 in Kerrville (Getty)The New World Screwworm, a parasitic insect eradicated from the U.S. over 40 years ago, has been detected in Texas, confirmed by the USDA in early June. This insect poses a significant threat to warm-blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, and pets, by laying eggs in open wounds where its maggots consume healthy flesh. In response, southern states like Florida, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, and Arkansas have implemented new rules and guidance to prevent the parasite's spread. Florida issued an emergency rule restricting the entry of warm-blooded animals from high-risk areas, while Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster proclamation due to the infestation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is combating the screwworm by deploying sterilized flies, a method successfully used to eradicate the native population in 1966. In fullSpread of flesh-eating parasites sparks new rules in Southern USThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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