Cattle are kept in a stable in Dublin, Texas on June 5, 2026.
Brandon Bell | getty images
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed a second case of the flesh-eating parasite New World screwworm in Texas.
The latest detection was found in a one-month-old calf in Zavala County, Texas, about 5.6 miles from the first confirmed case announced earlier this month, according to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. said on friday. Additional samples collected from the surrounding area have so far tested negative.
New World screwworm larvae eat the living tissues of warm-blooded animals, causing severe lesions that can be fatal if untreated. This insect is a threat to livestock, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, humans.
The discovery has triggered cross-border restrictions. Canadian Food Inspection Agency said on friday It will temporarily restrict the import of livestock, including horses, from affected areas of the US. Animals that were born in Texas or were present in Texas within 21 days before crossing the border will not be allowed to enter Canada.
Federal and state officials emphasized that the second case was found within an existing movement-control zone established after the initial discovery and that it remains within an area where sterile insects are being released to suppress insect populations.
“USDA has wasted no time in this fight, we have defeated New World screwworm before and we will defeat it again,” Dudley Hoskins, the agency’s under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, said in a statement.
The USDA said the US food supply remains safe despite the investigation. According to the agency, New World screwworms do not infect meat, fruits, vegetables or other food products. It says any affected animals will be identified during inspection and no contaminated products will be allowed to enter commerce.
“Livestock owners and all Texans should remain vigilant,” Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said in a statement. “Surveillance and reporting is a priority. The sooner infections are found, the sooner New World screwworm can be eliminated.”
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
