Texas Town Battles Screwworm Invasion Threatening Cattle Industry

The Texas town of La Pryor faces a screwworm outbreak, threatening its cattle industry. A single case prompted a quarantine, with officials implementing containment efforts. Concerns rise among ranchers and politicians, urging expedited sterile fly production to prevent a devastating impact on livestock.

The quiet cattle town of La Pryor, Texas, is now at the center of the fight against a screwworm outbreak, the first in the U.S. for decades. A detected case in a calf has triggered livestock quarantine measures, raising anxieties among local ranchers.

For over a year, South Texas ranchers anticipated the screwworm's arrival as the parasite moved through Central America. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed only one case, but emphasized the threat to Texas' multibillion-dollar cattle industry. Efforts are underway to stop any potential spread.

In response, 28 USDA workers have been deployed to Zavala County, aided by local personnel, to set traps and release sterile flies that can disrupt screwworm reproduction. Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster to expedite a fly production facility crucial for containment.