Texas hit by New World screwworm sparks cattle industry alarm

USDA confirmed the New World screwworm larvae in Zavala County, Texas, launching an emergency response that will quarantine and treat affected cattle rather than cull them; the discovery follows a public denial by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and raises fears the pest could move north from Mexico, potentially hurting cattle herds and lifting beef prices, as authorities also deploy emergency treatment shipments, sterile fly releases, and active surveillance for more infestations.