Efforts to Control Screwworm Spread in Texas Intensify

Authorities in Austin are heightening measures to manage the recent surge in New World screwworm cases. This parasitic fly targets livestock and other animals. State officials reported a new case in a goat in Gillespie County, Texas, on Monday. Earlier reports indicated infections in a calf in La Salle County, Texas, and a dog in Lea County, New Mexico.

State and federal officials are implementing aggressive measures to halt the spread. Teams are on the ground in infested zones, conducting active animal surveillance, establishing checkpoints, connecting with landowners and producers for sterile fly release locations, conducting ground and aerial release of sterile flies, and educating animal owners and the public on the pest and how to prevent the spread, stated Dr. Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges, Executive Director of the Texas Animal Health Commission.

The Texas cattle and beef industry is experiencing unease amid rising screwworm cases. Already grappling with high beef prices and limited supply, businesses like County Line Barbecue are also adapting. Owner Skeeter Miller noted fluctuating brisket costs, emphasizing the need to adjust menu offerings. What we have to do is kind of work with our menu a little bit, Miller remarked.

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show brisket wholesale prices have surged, with costs rising from roughly $2.40-$3.00 per pound in 2021 to about $5.75-$7.00 per pound in 2025. Unlike a chicken wing crisis… beef, it takes a long time to replenish the herd, explained Emily Williams Knight, President and CEO of Texas Restaurant Association. She stressed the cultural and economic importance of beef and the pressure on restaurants.

Skeeter Miller, like many industry veterans, recognizes the challenge. I’ve seen mad cow, I’ve seen bird flu, I’ve seen just about everything, he commented, reaffirming a commitment to quality.

Officials advised prompt reporting of any suspected screwworm incidents, emphasizing the necessity of early action for effective control. Swift detection ensures better resource distribution, particularly scarce sterile flies essential for combating the pest’s spread.