Texas confirms first screwworm case in decades, launches response

Texas and federal officials are moving quickly to contain the spread of the New World screwworm after a case was confirmed in a calf near La Pryor, marking the first detection on the Texas side of the U.S.-Mexico border in about 60 years.

Gov. Greg Abbott said the flesh-eating parasite poses a risk to livestock production but not to the safety of the food supply.

“To be clear … there is no food safety issue, full stop,” Abbott said during a Friday briefing. “There’s a food production issue, but not a food safety issue.”

Historically, officials have controlled the parasite that infests open wounds in animals by releasing sterile flies to disrupt reproduction. Officials said the U.S. Department of Agriculture has already begun importing and releasing sterile flies across South Texas to contain the spread.

Abbott said a new sterile fly production facility under construction in Edinburgh will be critical to long-term control efforts and urged that it be completed ahead of schedule.

“The prevention requires the release of millions of sterile flies in targeted regions,” Abbott said.

The discovery has raised concerns within Texas’ cattle industry, particularly in border regions where livestock operations are common.

Separately, Jane Nelson announced she will step down as Texas secretary of state effective July 17, ending her tenure that began in 2023.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Texas in this role,” Nelson said in a statement. “My time as secretary came at an important moment for Texas.”

As the state’s chief election officer, Nelson oversaw voter registration systems and guided county election officials. Her resignation comes months before the November midterm elections.

Nelson, a Republican, faced criticism from some within her party for defending Texas’ open primary system in response to a federal lawsuit seeking to establish closed primaries. Texas currently allows voters to participate in either party’s primary without formal party registration.

“Contrary to several recent public postings, I have never expressed opposition to closed primaries,” Nelson wrote in a prior statement, emphasizing her duty to uphold existing law.

Abbott praised Nelson’s tenure, calling her “a true champion for the people of Texas” and highlighting her decades of public service, including more than 30 years in the Texas Senate.

State officials said efforts to contain the screwworm outbreak will continue in coordination with federal partners as leaders work to protect Texas agriculture.

‍