Local Governments Race to Get Ahead of New World Screwworm
Central Texas governments are taking swift, preemptive action as the New World screwworm (NWS) — a flesh-eating parasitic fly not seen in the United States since the 1960s — pushes northward from South Texas into the Hill Country and beyond.
On Friday, Travis County Judge Andy Brown signed a local disaster declaration, stressing that the move was entirely preventive. “This declaration is a proactive measure that allows us to better coordinate resources, strengthen communication with our state and federal partners, and ensure we’re prepared to respond quickly if this pest is detected in our region,” Brown said.
Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden signed a similar declaration the same day. The closest confirmed case at the time was approximately 80 miles away from both counties.
Gillespie County wasn’t as lucky.
Judge Daniel Jones issued a disaster declaration on June 10 after a positive case was confirmed in a goat near Harper — the first known case in the Texas Hill Country. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has since designated an infested zone covering parts of western Gillespie County along with portions of Kimble and Kerr counties. Animals cannot leave the zone without inspection, treatment if necessary, and an official movement permit.
Statewide, the situation has escalated quickly.
The USDA first confirmed a NWS case in a calf in Zavala County on June 3, marking the parasite’s return to U.S. soil. As of Friday, eight confirmed cases have been reported in Texas, with an additional case in a dog in Lea County, New Mexico. Officials have established quarantine zones, deployed checkpoints to monitor animal movement, and released millions of sterile male flies — a proven eradication technique — across South Texas. Female screwworm flies mate only once, so pairing with sterile males halts reproduction and drives down the population.
Governor Greg Abbott has expanded a statewide disaster declaration to mobilize all available state resources and accelerate construction of a $750 million sterile fly production facility near Edinburg — expected to produce up to 100 million sterile flies per week when it opens in 2027.
The stakes are enormous.
Experts warned Texas lawmakers that a widespread infestation could cause billions of dollars in economic losses and take decades to eradicate. In Travis County, wildlife cameras are being monitored, field teams are watching for signs of injury in animals, and local health officials are briefing healthcare providers on how to identify and report suspected human cases — which, while rare, can be fatal.
Livestock owners and pet owners across Central Texas are urged to inspect animals regularly for unusual wounds, maggots, or signs of distress and to report any suspected cases to the TAHC immediately.
With confirmation of cases of the New World screwworm in Texas, plenty of focus is on the potential impact on the state’s cattle industry. But they’re not the only animals vulnerable to the parasite. We’ll have some prevention tips.
(Episode from June 11, 2026)
Sources:
- KUT News: “Travis County issues disaster declaration for New World screwworm as Texas cases rise” (June 12, 2026) — kut.org
- KVUE: “Gillespie County issues disaster declaration in response to New World screwworm case” (June 12, 2026) — kvue.com
- FOX 7 Austin: “Screwworm in Texas: Multiple counties declare local disasters in response to recent cases” (June 12, 2026) — fox7austin.com
- KERA News / Texas Newsroom: “Here’s where things stand with New World screwworm in Texas” (June 12, 2026) — keranews.org
- USDA APHIS: “USDA Confirms New World Screwworm in Texas” (June 3, 2026) — aphis.usda.gov
- Office of the Texas Governor: “Governor Abbott Issues New World Screwworm Disaster Proclamation” (June 2026) — gov.texas.gov
- CDC: “New World Screwworm Outbreak Situation Summary” — cdc.gov
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on the I-35 service road last night.
A verbal argument turned violent in downtown Round Rock on Thursday. Police say a dispute between two people outside the Round Rock Tavern led to a stabbing. A suspect is now under arrest.
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The Austin ISD Facility Corporation Board met Thursday.
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A new apartment complex in Bee Cave, an EMS station in Bastrop and improvements to the Graham Middle School athletic field are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week. (Community Impact)
Williamson County and Twin Lakes Family YMCA celebrated the completion of the Orr Family Sky Trail during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday.
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Austin’s historic Paramount Theatre will cease operations for up to 11 months as crews begin the most extensive renovations the venue has seen in decades.
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WEATHER
FRIDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
An over 30-hour manhunt for a West Texas fugitive wanted for the attempted murder of a police officer ended in Midland Friday after the man fired random shots at passing cars as police closed in on him, killing one person and injuring 10 others.
Officials in Bexar County made a large drug and weapons bust Thursday.
Two stories out of Llano County…
Local health officials confirmed a rabies incident involving a cat at Black Rock Park.
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Republican Party of Texas Vice Chair D’rinda Randall became the party’s new leader after defeating her former running mate, incumbent Chair Abraham George, shaking up the top of the state’s majority party ahead of the fall midterm elections.
On the legislative front, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows addressed the convention Friday, presenting a united front with the message that Republicans need to shelve lingering grudges and support the entire ticket heading into November. Burrows addressed the convention — the first sitting speaker ever to do so — Friday afternoon, and congratulated Randall and her running mate, saying he looked forward to “working together to strengthen our party and advance the conservative principles Texans value.”
Gov. Abbott announced his support for closing Texas primaries, arguing that only Republicans should vote in Republican primaries. He also aims to stop universities and local governments from hiring H-1B visa Aliens.
FRIDAY’S FULL SESSION:
One incident at Friday’s convention drew online attention…
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And state Senator Paul Bettencourt reacts to the Governor’s call for data center regulation.
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(Episode from June 12, 2026)
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SPORTS
COLLEGE BASEBALL: The Texas Longhorns are back in Omaha — and they’re wasting no time facing one of the toughest tests in the field.
No. 6 Texas (45-13) opens play in the 2026 Men’s College World Series tonight at Charles Schwab Field against No. 3 Georgia (51-12), in what marks the program’s record 39th appearance at the CWS.
First pitch is set for 7 p.m. CT on ESPN in Omaha, Nebraska.
MLB: The Houston Astros put up ten runs last night while the Texas Rangers gave up ten.
Yordan Alvarez became the first player to hit a grand slam and multi-run homer in the first inning of an MLB game, pulling off the feat for the Houston Astros in a 10-8 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night. (Associated Press)
Ceddanne Rafaela homered and had three RBIs, Sonny Gray allowed one run in six innings and the Boston Red Sox rolled to a 10-1 win over the Texas Rangers on Friday night. (Associated Press)
ON THE SCHEDULE
NBA FINALS: The San Antonio Spurs’ season is on the line tonight.
The San Antonio Spurs face a must-win tonight as they host the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, trailing the series three games to one. Tip-off is set for 7:30 here in San Antonio — and for the Spurs, it’s simple: win tonight or go home.
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The Americans won’t play again until the World Cup’s second weekend, when they will travel to Seattle for another West Coast matchup against a country they have previously played four times.
Take a trip back in time and visit some of your Texas state parks. This historical black & white film produced in the 1970s, shows people doing the same activities that you can do today in the state parks. Only the clothes and the cars are a bit different.
