Screwworm Threat Turns Texas Town Into Hot Spot

A quiet cattle community in Texas has suddenly become a frontline against a dangerous parasite that first appeared there after decades of absence. The incident began when a young calf at a local ranch tested positive for the flesh‑eating screwworm, leaving a large wound around its belly button. The discovery has triggered an immediate livestock quarantine and put both ranchers and pet owners on high alert. For more than a year, farmers in South Texas have watched the screwworm inch closer as it moves north from Colombia through Central America. The parasite can devastate cattle herds and local wildlife, threatening a multi‑billion‑dollar industry. The U. S. Department of Agriculture is actively working to contain the spread, with workers setting up fly traps and releasing sterile flies to stop reproduction. Major roads out of the affected town now have orange signs directing vehicles carrying livestock to a checkpoint staffed by sheriffs and state officials for inspection.

A retired teacher who once saw screwworms in the 1960s recalls the horror of calves suffering from the parasite and the harsh treatments used. He now worries that newer ranchers lack experience, wild animals could spread the disease, and there are not enough sterile flies available. Some local ranchers criticize the federal response and urge state leadership to declare a disaster, which would unlock federal aid. Meanwhile, neighboring counties have already declared emergencies and called out the USDA for perceived delays in preparation. The situation continues to unsettle markets, keeping cattle futures on a cautious upward trend as traders brace for potential further infestations.

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