The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced last week that a horse imported from Argentina at an equine import quarantine facility in Florida tested positive for New World screwworm.
“Sterile insects are an important tool, but USDA’s import requirements and protocols add another line of defense for NWS and other foreign animal diseases that threaten U.S. livestock. Earlier this week, the importance of those protocols was highlighted when a horse from Argentina was presented for routine importation at an equine import quarantine facility in Florida,” the USDA stated.
“Upon examination, APHIS identified an open wound with larvae on the animal and promptly collected and shipped samples to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Iowa. The horse was immediately treated with medication to kill any larvae in accordance with standard, long-standing import protocols. This morning, NVSL confirmed that the larvae were New World screwworm larvae,” it continued.
“Accordingly, the animal will remain in quarantine until it has been reexamined and determined to be free of NWS,” it added.
(1/4) As New World screwworm moves further north in Mexico, @USDA is taking decisive and proactive action to shift sterile insect dispersal to better protect U.S. animal and public health… https://t.co/YbCxHWxtix pic.twitter.com/z34c6AVShT
— USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (@USDA_APHIS) January 31, 2026
Last week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration to “better equip the Texas New World Screwworm (NWS) Response Team to prevent the potential spread of the NWS fly into Texas and to better protect livestock and wildlife.”
ALERT: Republican Governor Issues Statewide “Disaster Declaration”
“Late last week, the USDA reported that during a routine USDA inspection at an equine import quarantine facility in Florida, a horse arriving from Argentina was found to have an open wound containing larvae,” the Texas Department of Agriculture said.
“The animal was immediately treated, samples were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, and NVSL has since confirmed the larvae were New World screwworm. The detection is proof that the USDA’s long-standing import inspection and quarantine protocols are another critical line of defense against New World screwworm and other foreign animal diseases,” it continued.
“I want to set the record straight on the recent New World screwworm detection in Florida. This detection did not constitute evidence of a U.S. outbreak or a domestic New World screwworm infestation. It was thankfully caught during a routine inspection of an imported horse arriving from a country south of the Darién Gap. The detection demonstrates that our federal inspection system is working exactly as designed and is an additional biosecurity tool that will protect our industry,” Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said.
“To date, there remains no evidence of New World screwworm populations or local infestation anywhere in the United States. Texas ranchers and families are urged to remain vigilant along our southern border and continue to routinely inspect all warm-blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, and pets, and report any suspicion of larvae infestation immediately,” he added.
Late last week, the USDA reported that during a routine USDA inspection at an equine import quarantine facility in Florida, a horse arriving from Argentina was found to have an open wound containing larvae. The animal was immediately treated, samples were sent to the National… pic.twitter.com/nG1WS2uK29
— Texas Agriculture (@TexasDeptofAg) February 3, 2026
“Four days ago, on January 30, the Governor of Texas issued a disaster declaration on the New World Screwworm as it nears closer and closer to the Texas border. There are rumors there are other cases present in Texas that have fallen on deaf ears. We have been sounding the alarm since July, but this is becoming more and more of a National Security crisis, and USDA’s lackluster response is threatening the safety of our citizens and ranching industry,” Meriwether Farms said.
“You think beef prices are high now? Imagine when the cattle supply in Texas is wiped out because of an infestation of flesh eating maggots. WE ARE HUMBLY CALLING ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO ISSUE A NATIONAL SECURITY DECLARATION IMMEDIATELY. WE MUST PROTECT AMERICAN FOOD SUPPLY AT ALL COSTS,” it continued.
Four days ago, on January 30, the Governor of Texas issued a disaster declaration on the New World Screwworm as it nears closer and closer to the Texas border
There are rumors there are other cases present in Texas that have fallen on deaf ears
We have been sounding the alarm… pic.twitter.com/1tLBG5ZE5B
— Meriwether Farms (@MeriwetherFarms) February 3, 2026
Border Report shared further:
The screwworms are flies that lay their larvae in wounds of animals and can infect and kill within weeks. Small pets and humans can even get infected.
If it crosses into Texas the screwworm could cause $2.7 billion in damages to the cattle industry.
The federal government says sterilized flies will be dropped into Texas, north of the border, as well as in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas where 11 cases have been reported.
