World · North America · 3 hrs ago
Screwworm found in Texas wildlife and a New Mexico cow
Officials confirmed New World screwworm in an elk in Texas and a cow in New Mexico.
The Texas elk was found on a game ranch in Pecos County after a hunter harvested it.
The flesh-eating parasite was eradicated from the US decades ago, but has spread north from Central America through Mexico.
There have been dozens of US cases this year, including in a Texas calf, a horse and a dog.
The US halted cattle imports from Mexico to limit the pest, then began a phased reopening in August; the halt tightened cattle supplies and helped push beef prices to record highs.
Texas officials are expanding wildlife checks and urge hunters and landowners to watch for signs of the parasite.
The USDA confirmed the first detection of New World screwworm in US wildlife, in an elk in Pecos County, Texas.
The elk was on a game ranch and was reported after a hunter harvested it.
Officials also confirmed a screwworm case in a cow in New Mexico, according to the Reuters headline.
The USDA and Texas authorities are conducting additional wildlife surveillance in the area.
The parasite was detected in a Texas calf in June, and officials have reported dozens of US cases this year.
- Who
- The USDA confirmed the wildlife case; Texas officials are conducting surveillance. Officials also confirmed a case in a New Mexico cow.
- What
- New World screwworm was found in an elk in Texas and a cow in New Mexico.
- When
- The confirmations were reported on October 21, 2026.
- Where
- The elk was found in Pecos County, Texas; the cow was in New Mexico.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Screwworm was detected on a calf in Zavala County, Texas.
The USDA confirmed the first detection in US wildlife, in an elk in Pecos County, Texas.
Officials confirmed a screwworm case in a cow in New Mexico, according to the Reuters headline.
- Wildlife case
- Elk in Pecos County, Texas
- Other case
- Cow in New Mexico
- First wildlife detection
- Confirmed by the USDA on October 21, 2026
- Previous Texas case
- Calf in Zavala County, detected in June
- Surveillance
- USDA and Texas parks and wildlife department are conducting additional wildlife surveillance in the area
2 sources
What people are saying
We encourage all hunters and landowners to be vigilant for signs of New World screwworm while they are out in the field this season.