New Texas screwworm case brings US total to 6 with NM dog, USDA says

• The New World screwworm threat is growing with six confirmed cases in the United States.
• Five cases have been reported in Texas, with an additional case confirmed in New Mexico.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with state officials on surveillance and response measures.
• Officials are encouraging animal owners to monitor their animals and report any suspected cases.

The New World screwworm threat continues to grow in the United States as officials confirm a new case of the parasitic fly in Texas.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed a second case of the screwworm in a calf in La Salle County, Texas, a day after reporting the first case in the county. As of Tuesday, June 9, the USDA's screwworm dashboard reports six cases in the U.S. — five in Texas and one in New Mexico.

The USDA said it is working closely with the Texas Animal Health Commission to respond and further investigate the case, and the federal–state field teams have already expanded their surveillance and response measures in the area by:

• Joint epidemiological investigations and case tracing.
• Additional surveillance, testing and trapping in the affected areas.
• Releasing sterile insects and adjusting operations as needed to achieve the most effective coverage.
• Conducting outreach to animal owners.
• Ongoing coordination with local officials, veterinarians, ranchers and community partners.

USDA also continues to encourage animal owners to monitor their animals for screwworm infection and to report any suspected livestock cases to the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242 and suspected wildlife cases to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 512-389-4505.

U.S. New World Screwworm case locations

Here is the breakdown of the screwworm case locations in the U.S. according to the USDA's screwworm dashboard.

Texas New World Screwworm cases

There are currently five cases in Texas:

• Gillespie County —  one case found in a domestic goat.
• La Salle County — two cases found in domestic cattle.
• Zavala County — two cases found in domestic cattle.

New Mexico New World Screwworm cases

A case has also been confirmed in a dog in New Mexico. It was first reported June 7 by a veterinarian in Andrews County, Texas, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies it as a Lea County, New Mexico, case because the dog lives there.

Map of New World screwworm cases in the U.S, Texas

Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at [email protected].