UPDATED- In a news conference with Texas media, US Secretary of Ag Brooke Rollins has confirmed that the suspected case of New World Screwworm has been confirmed by the USDA Lab in Ames, Iowa. It is the first case in Texas since 1966. Officials are saying the eggs were laid in a baby calf umbilical cord.
Earlier- According to a post on X by US Secretary of Ag Brooke Rollins- she “Just wrapped up a virtual meeting with ~50 of our outstanding Texas cattle ranchers and @TAHC. Our food supply is 100% safe. This potential New World Screwworm detection is being fully contained and is not a harm to the American food supply or consumer safety. The NWS specimen has arrived at the airport in Ames, IA and is being transferred to National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). We will update as soon as we have confirmed test results. Unfortunately, the open-border policies of the last administration and the resulting illicit cattle movement throughout Mexico have caused NWS to potentially reach our side of the border. BUT, there is no one better than Texas and our live stock producers to have in this fight.
“All models showed NWS coming to the U.S. last summer/early fall — so a big thank you to our partners across the industry and local, state and the entire Trump administration for unprecedented action that gave us almost an extra year to prepare for this moment. Together with so many partners, including the Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Cattle Feeders and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, we will effectively combat, contain and eventually eradicate this pest.
“Additional @USDA personnel have arrived in South Texas to support our partners on the ground. The National Veterinary Stockpile is ready to deploy and on its way. I now call on our producers to be vigilant and watchful. The most effective thing to do right now is to put eyes on all live stock. If you see anything suspicious, contact your state animal health official (linked on the http://screwworm.gov website). Texas cattle and live stock producers are the backbone of our state and our nation. We will meet this challenge head-on.”
