New World Screwworm Sparks Federal Rebuke of Texas Official Over Reporting Remarks

The U.S. Department of Agriculture publicly rebuked Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller after he suggested ranchers might avoid reporting New World screwworm infestations due to quarantine restrictions, as Texas logged five confirmed cases in less than a week and New Mexico reported a case. Federal officials emphasize that rapid reporting enables containment through quarantines, surveillance, sterile fly releases, and other tools; Miller advocates deploying SWASS in addition to sterile flies. Governor Abbott and Rollins stressed a coordinated response, and a new senior advisor for screwworm preparedness was named.